Binani Air (NA, Lagos) received its air operator's certificate (AOC) for domestic scheduled flights from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on March 17, the regulator confirmed in a statement.
Speaking at a presentation ceremony in Abuja, NCAA Director-General Chris Najomo described the certification as a milestone, noting that Binani Air is a woman-led airline in a sector long dominated by men. The owner, Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani, is a senator in Adamawa State and the first woman to fully own an airline in Nigeria. She did not disclose the airline's plans for scheduled operations.
The company has held an AOC for non-scheduled services since July 2024.
According to ch-aviation data, Binani Air's fleet includes two company-owned, 18.8-year-old E170s, ex-EgyptAir Express, both currently stored at Abuja. 5N-CCI (msn 17000169) was acquired from Egypt's CIAF Leasing in May 2023, while 5N-CCJ (msn 170000170) was previously operated by Jasmin Airways.
Binani Air also owns one 24-year-old Hawker 800XP, 5N-CBM (msn 258564), currently operating domestic charter flights between Abuja and Ilorin, Jos, Maiduguri, Warri, Akure, Minna, and Lagos, ADS-B data reveals.
Binani Air forms part of the Binani Group of Companies, also including Binani Construction and Binani Printing Press.
