By Zainab Bakare
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has granted an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to Bayelsa State owned Pioneer Airline, clearing the carrier to commence commercial flight operations across Nigeria.
Managing Director of Pioneer Airline, Capt. Henry Ungbuku, disclosed this on Thursday after presenting the certificate to Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Ungbuku described the certification process as rigorous but historic, noting that the airline secured the approval within four and a half months a timeline he said aviation regulators and industry stakeholders consider record-breaking in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Pioneer Airline is scheduled to begin operations from the Bayelsa International Airport on May 25.
The Bayelsa State Government had in 2025 acquired two aircraft under an agreement with Pioneer Airline as part of efforts to strengthen air transportation, improve connectivity, and stimulate economic activities within the state.
One of the aircraft, an ATR 72-600, completed its inaugural flight on November 26, 2025, from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the Bayelsa International Airport before undergoing NCAA certification procedures for commercial operations.
Ungbuku, who was accompanied by the Managing Director of Bayelsa State International Airport, Air Vice Marshal Nelson Calmday (retd), attributed the milestone to the support and commitment of the Bayelsa State Government toward ensuring the commencement of commercial flight operations.
“At our meeting with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Honourable Minister of Aviation in Abuja on Wednesday, they confirmed that Pioneer Airline is the fastest to get an Air Operator Certificate in Nigeria. Normally, it takes between eight months and two years, but we got it in four and a half months,” he said.
He explained that the airline currently operates under a dry lease arrangement with the Bayelsa State Government, which owns the aircraft while Pioneer Airline pays monthly lease rentals for their use.
“The Bayelsa government owns the assets and Pioneer will pay monthly lease rentals to use them to generate revenue. For now, the aircraft will operate under Pioneer Airline. Approval to brand them as Bayelsa Air is still pending with the NCAA,” Ungbuku stated.
He further clarified that although the airline is yet to commence direct scheduled services, it is already open to bookings through accredited ticketing and travel agencies for charter, group, and special flight operations across the country.
“If you want an aircraft to fly to Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna or anywhere today, we are ready to fly,” he added.
Ungbuku also disclosed that ticket sales are expected to begin within seven to 10 days ahead of the airline’s official launch on May 25, marking a significant step in Bayelsa State’s push to expand its aviation footprint and improve regional air connectivity.
