Binani Air, also known as Binani Global Air Services under the Binani Group, has officially commenced operations in Nigeria after receiving its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on March 17.
The approval, issued in Abuja, authorises the airline to begin commercial flight operations, making it one of the newest entrants in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The airline is expected to compete with established carriers such as Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines in the country’s increasingly competitive aviation sector.
Owned by Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani, Binani Air is notable for being one of the few woman-led airlines in Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Speaking on the development, Binani Group President, Aminatu Danjuma Goje, described the achievement as the fulfilment of a long-standing vision built on resilience, faith, and determination.
She also praised Aishatu Binani, the Group Chairperson, describing her as a visionary leader whose commitment continues to inspire excellence within the organisation.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the airline has been certified for domestic scheduled flights.
According to NCAA Director-General, Chris Najomo, the approval represents a major milestone, especially as the airline enters the sector as a woman-led operator.
However, the regulator noted that the airline has yet to publicly announce its scheduled flight operations.
Industry data shows that Binani Air had previously held an AOC for non-scheduled services since July 2024, with its fleet including two Embraer E170 aircraft and a Hawker 800XP business jet used for charter services across cities such as Abuja, Lagos, Ilorin, Jos, Maiduguri, Warri, Akure, and Minna.
The entry of Binani Air is expected to intensify competition in Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector as operators continue to expand routes, improve services, and meet growing passenger demand.
