Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has advanced plans to establish a state-owned airline after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Express Airline Co. Ltd and KDN Aero at Government House in Benin City on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
The agreement marks a significant step in the proposed Edo Air project, which the state government hopes will improve air connectivity, attract investment, support tourism and create employment opportunities.
Also read: ADC rejects court ruling nullifying Atiku’s candidacy
Okpebholo signed the agreement following a presentation by a delegation led by China Express Airline President, Shansheng Li, on the company’s operational capacity and technical capabilities.
Expressing confidence in the proposed partnership, the governor described the MoU as the beginning of a longer relationship and said his administration was prepared to work with the aviation partners.
“We have signed the MoU, and this is the first part of it. We will continue to build on it,” he said.
“We have seen your capability, and we are ready to do business with you. By the grace of God, Edo Air will be in the airspace very soon.”
The Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, said the agreement followed a fact-finding visit to China by a seven-member delegation on September 14, 2026.
The visit was approved by the governor to identify and assess potential technical and operational partners for the proposed airline.
Ikhilor led the delegation, which included the Head of Service, Dr Anthony Okungbowa; the Accountant-General, Julius Anelu; and the state’s Chief Aviation Consultant, Captain Nuhu Musa, alongside other government officials and aviation experts.
During the visit, the team inspected China Express Airline and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), a major aircraft manufacturer, to assess their capabilities and explore possible areas of cooperation.
According to Ikhilor, China Express made a stronger impression on the delegation following an inspection of its headquarters and flight-monitoring operations.
He said the team visited a situation room equipped with a large screen tracking aircraft movements across China, where 192 flights had reportedly been recorded by 10 a.m. on the day of the visit.
The SSG said the inspection and discussions with the airline’s management strengthened the delegation’s confidence in China Express as a potential technical and operational partner for Edo Air.
At the signing ceremony, Li presented Okpebholo with a model aircraft, while KDN Aero Managing Director, Tianzhi Chen, spoke on behalf of the Chinese delegation and outlined the company’s operations and capabilities.
The latest agreement follows earlier efforts by the Edo Government to establish an indigenous airline operating from Benin Airport.
In January 2026, Okpebholo met with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to advance the proposal.
At the time, the governor disclosed that the state was exploring partnerships with South African investors who had indicated interest in providing aircraft for the proposed carrier.
Following that meeting, Keyamo constituted a technical committee to support the project, coordinate with relevant aviation authorities and address operational and regulatory requirements.
The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission also held discussions with the state government on advancing Edo’s aviation ecosystem, with Edo Air identified as a key proposal.
The proposed airline is expected to operate from Benin Airport and form part of the state’s wider economic development plans. However, the latest MoU does not, on its own, confirm that commercial flights are ready to begin.
Important details, including the airline’s proposed launch date, fleet size, routes, ownership arrangements, funding structure and the specific responsibilities of each partner, have not been publicly disclosed in the reports reviewed.
The project will also have to meet Nigeria’s aviation regulatory requirements before commencing commercial operations.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) requires commercial air operators to obtain the relevant operating approvals, including an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), before conducting authorised services.
The commercial environment presents another consideration.
In June 2026, the International Air Transport Association identified Nigeria as one of the world’s most expensive countries in which to operate an airline, citing high operating costs that continue to affect local carriers’ competitiveness and profitability.
Edo Air’s eventual success will therefore depend not only on securing technical partners but also on establishing a sustainable business model, meeting safety and regulatory standards, and maintaining the financial capacity required for consistent operations.
Also read: ADC rejects court ruling nullifying Atiku’s candidacy
The agreement was attended by Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa; Ikhilor; Okungbowa; Chief of Staff Yakubu Musa; Commissioner for Finance Emmanuel Okoebor; and other senior state officials.
