Pecohub Enugu Air has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), marking a major milestone in the state government’s plan to position Enugu as a regional hub for commerce, logistics and aviation across West and Central Africa.
The certificate was presented on Tuesday at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja to the airline’s Accountable Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Captain Tolu Ita.
Speaking at the presentation, the Director-General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, described the achievement as historic for Nigeria’s aviation sector. He noted that the airline completed the rigorous certification process in just five months and three weeks — far shorter than the typical industry timeline of 15 to 24 months.
Najomo also pointed out that the state-owned airline stood out by launching with a full fleet of six aircraft, something rarely seen among newly certified carriers in the country.
According to him, the certification involved detailed assessments across several NCAA departments to ensure the airline met all regulatory and safety requirements.
He commended Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu State, for his leadership and vision, saying the speed and discipline with which the project was executed reflected purposeful governance.
Najomo further praised the Enugu State team for their dedication and urged the airline’s management to maintain high standards in safety, regulatory compliance and operations.
In her remarks, Enugu Air CEO Captain Tolu Ita thanked the governor for his vision and support in creating an enabling environment for the airline to achieve the certification in record time.
She also expressed appreciation to the NCAA for its professionalism throughout the process and reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to building a reliable and competitive carrier that would deliver safe and efficient services to passengers.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transportation in Enugu State, Obi Ozor, said the airline is a key part of the state government’s broader transport and logistics transformation agenda aimed at boosting economic opportunities within the state, the South-East region and the wider African market.
He revealed that the airline plans to expand its fleet to about 20 aircraft and begin regional operations before the end of 2026. According to him, this will help connect Enugu to major domestic and international destinations while promoting trade, tourism and investment.
Ozor also commended XEJet Limited, the airline’s operating partner, for guiding the project through the demanding certification process.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of XEJet Limited, Emmanuel Iza, congratulated Enugu Air on the milestone and expressed pride in the partnership that made the achievement possible.
He said the development shows what can be accomplished through strong collaboration between government and the commercial aviation sector.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Enugu Air Board, Ricky Agu, assured the NCAA that the state government would continue to support the airline to ensure it operates at global standards.
The certificate presentation was witnessed by senior aviation officials and members of the Enugu State delegation, including the governor’s Special Assistant on Transport, Iphie Ugonabo, alongside members of the airline’s management team.
