AFRAA has admitted Enugu Air as its 50th member, strengthening Nigeria’s position in African aviation and supporting the airline’s planned expansion and IOSA certification.
The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has admitted Enugu Air as its 50th member, marking a significant milestone for the Enugu State-owned carrier and strengthening Nigeria’s representation within the continent’s leading airline association.
AFRAA announced the admission in Nairobi on Wednesday, describing Enugu Air’s entry as an important development for Nigeria’s expanding domestic aviation market and African air connectivity.
The association said its members collectively account for more than 85 per cent of international traffic carried by African airlines.
AFRAA Secretary General, Mr Abdérahmane Berthé, welcomed Enugu Air into the association and said the airline represented the type of homegrown investment needed to strengthen aviation connectivity across Africa.
“We are delighted to welcome Enugu Air into the AFRAA fraternity,” Berthé said.
He described Enugu Air as a state-backed carrier serving Nigeria’s rapidly expanding domestic market and expressed the association’s readiness to support the airline’s development.
Berthé specifically noted that AFRAA would support Enugu Air through the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification process, while also helping the carrier maximise the benefits of its membership.
He said the association remained committed to advancing the vision of unified African skies and stronger cooperation among African airlines.
Reacting to the development, Enugu Air Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Tolu Ita, described the airline’s admission into AFRAA as a major milestone in its relatively short history.
“We are honoured to join the AFRAA fraternity. This membership underscores Enugu Air’s commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable air travel for Nigerians while contributing to the vision of a unified African aviation market,” Ita said.
He added that the airline would collaborate with other AFRAA members and leverage the association’s technical and industry support as it expands its network and pursues IOSA certification.
Enugu Air was launched by the Enugu State Government in July 2025, with its inaugural operations originating from Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. The airline initially began operations with Embraer E170 aircraft and routes linking Enugu, Abuja and Lagos, before announcing plans for wider domestic coverage.
The airline subsequently received its own Air Operator Certificate from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority in March 2026, allowing it to operate scheduled services under its own regulatory authorisation.
AFRAA’s announcement comes as Enugu Air continues to build its fleet and domestic network, with additional Embraer E195 aircraft added to its operations in 2026.
Enugu Air’s long-term expansion strategy extends beyond Nigeria. The carrier plans to increase its domestic network before moving into regional and international markets across Africa and, eventually, other global destinations.
At the airline’s launch in July 2025, the Enugu State Government outlined plans to expand services from the initial Enugu-Abuja-Lagos network to destinations including Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin City and Kano, with international expansion envisaged in subsequent phases.
The AFRAA membership could provide the airline with access to industry expertise, technical cooperation and a broader network of African aviation stakeholders as it pursues those ambitions.
AFRAA said Enugu Air’s admission strengthens the association’s voice in Nigeria, which it described as a strategically important aviation market on the continent.
Nigeria’s large population and expanding domestic aviation market make the country central to efforts to create a more integrated African air transport industry.
The association was founded in Accra, Ghana, in 1968 and is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. Its mission is to promote and serve African airlines while championing the development of the continent’s aviation industry.
AFRAA’s vision is for a sustainable, interconnected and affordable African air transport sector in which African airlines play a stronger role in driving economic development.
With Enugu Air now joining the association as its 50th member, the airline’s entry provides another platform for Nigeria to participate in continental aviation cooperation while pursuing its ambitions for stronger domestic connectivity and eventual international expansion.
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