- Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has pledged the Federal Government’s complete regulatory support for the successful take-off of Caliphate Airlines, a commercial carrier backed by the Sokoto State Government.
- Structured as a limited liability company for domestic passenger and cargo operations, the airline is scheduled to be officially commissioned by President Bola Tinubu on August 18, 2026.
- The carrier will begin operations with five Embraer regional aircraft servicing Sokoto, Abuja, and Kano routes, with plans to expand its domestic network as demand grows.
The Federal Government has pledged its full backing for the operational launch of Caliphate Airlines, a commercial carrier established by the Sokoto State Government to boost regional air travel and economic growth.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the commitment was given by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a courtesy visit to his Abuja office by a delegation from the Sokoto State Government.
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The delegation was led by the Chief of Staff to the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Dikko, accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Mohammad Sifawa, Director of Operations of Caliphate Airlines, Oluwashina Agbelese, and Account Manager, Abdulkarim Abioye.
During the meeting, Dikko expressed the gratitude of Governor Ahmad Aliyu to the minister for his continuous encouragement toward bringing the airline project to fruition.
He disclosed that Caliphate Airlines, incorporated as a limited liability company to provide domestic passenger and cargo services, will be officially inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu on August 18, 2026.
The delegation also appealed for the minister’s intervention to fast-track the issuance of the Airline Operator Certificate (AOC), a vital regulatory milestone required for commercial takeoff.
Providing details on operational readiness, the airline’s Director of Operations, Oluwashina Agbelese, revealed that the carrier will start operations using a fleet of five Embraer regional jets, comprising three Embraer ERJ-145LR aircraft and two Embraer 190-100 series jets.
He noted that two of the aircraft are already in Nigeria, with the remaining three expected prior to the official launch date. Initial flight schedules will connect Sokoto, Abuja, and Kano, with plans for gradual network expansion based on market demand.
Responding, Keyamo applauded the Sokoto State Government’s decision to invest in commercial aviation, framing it as a catalyst for economic expansion, job creation, and improved regional integration across the North-West.
Reaffirming that strict safety standards and regulatory compliance remain non-negotiable, Keyamo assured the delegation that the ministry and its regulatory agencies will work diligently to eliminate unnecessary delays and streamline administrative processes for a seamless launch.
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