The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has presented an Air Operator Certificate to Bayelsa State-owned Pioneer Airline, signalling the commencement of its commercial operations.

Managing Director of Pioneer Airline, Capt. Henry Ungbuku disclosed this on Thursday at the Government House in Yenagoa after presenting the certificate to Governor Douye Diri.

Ungbuku described the AOC certification process as stringent, noting that the airline completed it within four and a half months.

According to a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the airline is expected to begin flight operations from the Bayelsa airport on May 25.

The Bayelsa State Government had acquired two aircraft under an agreement with Pioneer Airline in 2025.

One of the aircraft, an ATR 72-600, conducted its inaugural flight on November 26, 2025, from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to the Bayelsa International Airport before undergoing NCAA certification for commercial operations.

Ungbuku, who was accompanied by the Managing Director of the Bayelsa State International Airport, Air Vice Marshal Nelson Calmday (retd), said the airline achieved the certification with the support of the state government.

He stated that the certification process, which normally takes between eight months and two years, was completed in record time.

“At our meeting with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Honourable Minister of Aviation in Abuja on Wednesday, they confirmed that Pioneer Airline is the fastest to get an Air Operator Certificate in Nigeria,” he said.

“Normally, it takes between eight months and two years. But we got it in four and a half months.”

Ungbuku attributed the achievement to Governor Diri’s commitment to ensuring flight operations commence in the state.

“We came today to say thank you, Your Excellency, for all the support you have given us,” he said.

He explained that Pioneer Airlines operates under a dry lease agreement with the Bayelsa State Government, which owns the aircraft, while the airline pays monthly lease rentals.

“The Bayelsa government owns the assets, and Pioneer will pay monthly lease rentals to use them to generate revenue,” he said.

“For now, the aircraft will operate under Pioneer Airlines. The approval to brand them as Bayelsa Air is still pending with the NCAA.”

Ungbuku clarified that the airline had not yet commenced direct scheduled services but said bookings could be made through travel agencies and charter arrangements.

“It is not a direct scheduled service yet. However, you can book through designated ticketing and travel agencies or arrange group bookings and charter to anywhere in Nigeria,” he stated.

“If you want an aircraft to fly to Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, or anywhere today, we are ready to fly.”

He added that ticket bookings would open within seven to ten days ahead of the airline’s planned launch on May 25.