The certificate was presented in Abuja by the Director-General of the NCAA, Chris Ona Najomo, who congratulated the airline’s management on achieving the regulatory milestone.
While commending the airline for meeting the authority’s safety requirements, Najomo emphasized that regulatory oversight would remain strict to ensure sustained compliance with industry standards.
He noted that the NCAA would continue monitoring the airline’s activities to guarantee that “the best standard of practice” is maintained across its operations.
The approval allows Pioneer Airlines to begin unscheduled operations such as charter services, group bookings, and other non-scheduled commercial flights.
Speaking after receiving the certificate, the airline’s Managing Director, Henry Ungbuku, disclosed that the certification process was completed in slightly over four months due to the airline’s preparedness and operational readiness.
According to him, the airline currently operates two aircraft owned by the Bayelsa State Government.
“We have two aircraft, which are owned by the Bayelsa State Government,” he said.
He further explained that at the time the certification process began, NCAA regulations required airlines seeking scheduled commercial operations to possess a minimum of six aircraft.
“So, since we had two, we applied for unscheduled, which is like charter and group booking and things like that,” Ungbuku explained.
However, he revealed that the NCAA later reviewed the policy during the certification process and reduced the minimum aircraft requirement for scheduled operations from six aircraft to two.
“But before we finished the certification process, the civil aviation authority reviewed the process and now brought the aircraft requirement down from six to two,” he added.
The development, according to the airline, now opens the door for Pioneer Airlines to immediately pursue approval for scheduled commercial flights.
“That is why we are applying for the scheduled operation from tomorrow [Thursday]. Because the requirement is two and we already have two aircraft,” he stated.
Ungbuku also clarified the ownership structure of the aircraft, noting that the airline is operating the planes under a lease arrangement with the Bayelsa State Government.
“Once we start flying, we pay on a monthly basis in terms of lease rentals,” he said.
Industry stakeholders believe the entry of new operators could improve connectivity within Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector, particularly at a time when demand for reliable air transport services continues to rise.