NCAA grants Enugu Air operational clearance via XEJET pending AOC completion

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved the commencement of domestic flight operations by Enugu Air, with the new State-owned airline set to operate through a strategic partnership with XEJET, a private Nigerian carrier.

This interim arrangement will remain in place pending the completion of Enugu Air’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) process.

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According to a statement signed by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, the aircrafts acquired by the Enugu State Government, financed by Fidelity Bank PLC have been integrated into XEJET’s operational specifications following a full variation process. This process adheres strictly to the NCAA’s five-phase certification procedure.

In the interim, passengers seeking to book flights on Enugu Air will be redirected to the XEJET ticketing platform via the Enugu Air official website.

The approval aligns with the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development’s 5-Point Agenda, which prioritises the support and expansion of indigenous airlines, while also promoting ease of doing business and advancing sectoral reforms.

The NCAA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a supportive regulatory environment for indigenous carriers, ensuring fair competition, and maintaining the highest standards of safety, security and consumer protection within Nigeria’s aviation sector.

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“Pursuant to this partnership, XEJET has completed a full variation process to integrate the EMB 170 aircraft into its Operations Specifications (OpsSpecs), in accordance with NCAA’s five-phase certification procedure. As such, XEJET is duly authorised to operate scheduled commercial flights on behalf of Enugu Air under current NCAA guidelines.

“In the interim, ticket sales for Enugu Air flights are facilitated via the XEJET platform, accessible through a redirect on the Enugu Air official website,” the statement noted.