…As Nigeria Eyes More State-Owned Carriers

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has hailed the launch of Bayelsa State’s Pioneer Airlines, saying the growing involvement of sub-national governments in airline operations could strengthen Nigeria’s domestic and regional routes.

According to a statement forwarded to journalists in Abuja on Thursday by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Keyamo received the airline’s management team in Abuja on Tuesday after the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) issued Pioneer Airlines its Air Operator Certificate.

New Telegraph reports that the certificate clears the carrier to begin commercial flight operations.

Leading the delegation, Pioneer Airlines Group Managing Director Capt. Okobaundu Henry Ungbuku formally presented the AOC to the minister and thanked the ministry and its agencies for their support through the certification process.

Ungbuku credited Keyamo’s push for indigenous carriers with creating a more enabling environment for new operators. “The successful acquisition of the AOC is a major milestone for Bayelsa State and a testament to the minister’s dedication to strengthening domestic aviation in Nigeria,” he said.

He introduced the airline’s management team, including Director of Corporate Services Tunde Owolabi, Director of Commercial & Customer Services Adetola Ungbuku, and Director of Operations Capt. Crosby Otobo, and Director of Continuing Airworthiness Engr. Isaac Omotayo. Other members present covered safety, HR, business development, and security.

Welcoming the team, Keyamo said it was encouraging to see more states entering the airline business.

“Today is one of my happiest days as minister because we are beginning to see more sub-nationals getting involved in the airline business,” he said.

The minister said government policy is moving beyond regulation to direct support. He pointed to the proposed Nigerian Leasing Company, a Special Purpose Vehicle designed to ease aircraft acquisition for local operators, as a key intervention.

Pioneer Airlines, he said, is positioned to be among the first beneficiaries of the leasing scheme, which aims to reduce the cost and complexity of securing aircraft for domestic carriers.

Keyamo argued that more sub-national airlines are critical to reclaiming regional routes currently dominated by foreign carriers.

“We have about 277 frequencies operated weekly by international airlines. Imagine what would happen if we had enough sub-national airlines participating actively in those regional operations,” he said.

The minister added that increased participation from state-owned carriers would deepen connectivity, lower fares through competition, and create jobs across the aviation value chain.

The meeting ended with both sides pledging closer collaboration to expand routes, improve service, and support the broader goal of making Nigeria a regional aviation hub.