Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has received the management team of Bayelsa State-owned carrier, Pioneer Airlines, following the successful issuance of the airline’s Air Operator Certificate, AOC.
The delegation, led by the airline’s Group Managing Director, Captain Okobaundu Henry Ungbuku, formally presented the certificate to the Minister and appreciated the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development for its support throughout the certification process.
Speaking during the visit, Captain Ungbuku described the approval as “a major milestone for Bayelsa State” and commended the Minister for creating an enabling environment for indigenous carriers in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
In his remarks, Keyamo expressed excitement over the growing participation of sub-national governments in aviation, saying, “Today is one of my happiest days as Minister because we are beginning to see more sub-nationals getting involved in the airline business.”
The Minister also disclosed that Pioneer Airlines would benefit from the proposed Nigerian Leasing Company initiative designed to ease aircraft acquisition challenges for local operators.
He added that the emergence of more indigenous airlines would strengthen Nigeria’s domestic and regional aviation markets, noting that the country has the capacity to sustain more operators on regional routes.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
