Nigeria’s newest carrier, Binani Air, has received an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, clearing the airline to commence scheduled domestic flight operations and marking a significant addition to the country’s aviation landscape.
The certificate, issued on March 17 in Abuja, represents a major regulatory milestone, following a rigorous multi-stage process that assessed the airline’s safety systems, operational readiness, aircraft airworthiness, crew training and financial capacity. Director-General of Civil Aviation, Chris Najomo, described the development as a notable achievement, particularly highlighting the airline’s distinction as a woman-led venture in a sector traditionally dominated by men.
Binani Air is owned by Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani, a senator representing Adamawa State, making it the first fully female-owned airline in Nigeria. Industry observers see the development as both a symbolic and practical step toward greater diversity in aviation leadership, with potential implications for workforce inclusion and sector-wide opportunities.
The airline had previously operated under a non-scheduled AOC since July 2024, providing charter services across key domestic routes including Abuja, Lagos, Ilorin, Jos and Maiduguri. Its current fleet includes Embraer E170 aircraft, alongside a Hawker 800XP used for charter operations, positioning it to gradually expand into scheduled passenger services.
While the airline has yet to formally announce its route network and launch timeline, expectations are that it will target high-demand domestic corridors, offering additional capacity in a market often constrained by limited seat availability and operational disruptions.
Binani Air’s entry comes at a time when Nigeria’s aviation sector is grappling with rising operating costs, fleet constraints and increasing passenger demand. Its certification is expected to enhance competition, improve connectivity and potentially ease pressure on existing carriers, even as the airline works to establish reliability and service standards in a challenging operating environment.
