Caliphate Airlines, the Sokoto State-backed carrier is scheduled for official commissioning on Tuesday, August 18, as the state prepares to enter Nigeria’s domestic passenger and cargo aviation market.
The airline is scheduled to be commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following plans announced by the Sokoto State Government during the visit of Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development in July.
Caliphate Airlines has been incorporated as a limited liability company to provide domestic passenger and cargo services. Its planned entry would add another carrier to Nigeria’s already competitive domestic aviation market, with the airline initially targeting connections between Sokoto, Abuja and Kano.
Oluwashina Agbelese the airline’s director of operations, said the carrier plans to begin operations with five regional aircraft comprising three Embraer ERJ-145LRs and two Embraer 190-100 series aircraft and two of the aircraft were already in Nigeria when the airline announced its commissioning plans, while the remaining aircraft were expected to arrive before the start of operations.
The initial route network is planned around Sokoto, Abuja and Kano, with the airline saying it intends to expand its domestic network as demand grows. The route structure places the carrier’s focus on improving connections within the North-West while linking the region to Abuja, one of Nigeria’s main aviation hubs.
The outstanding certification therefore remains an important part of the airline’s readiness to enter the market; the Sokoto delegation had asked Keyamo to support the process, while the minister pledged continued government support provided that the airline meets safety and regulatory requirements.
Keyamo said the airline could contribute to regional connectivity, economic activity and employment, while describing the Sokoto State investment as part of efforts to strengthen indigenous participation in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
