Nigerian Startup K-impex Lines Up E190s Ahead of AOC

Nigerian start-up K-impex Airline, based in Abuja, is preparing to take delivery of four Embraer E190 aircraft as it moves closer to securing its air operator’s certificate from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Nigerian media reports indicate the aircraft have been purchased outright and will be introduced once regulatory approval is finalised.

Chief executive Abel Ozigi told Aviation Metric that the decision to buy rather than lease the E190s was driven by long-term cost considerations. He said outright ownership would avoid capital outflows associated with leasing. Each aircraft will be configured with 98 seats, including 90 in economy class and eight in business class, although registration details have not been disclosed. ch-aviation has contacted both Ozigi and the NCAA for comment.

According to Aviation Metric, K-impex aims to address capacity gaps in Nigeria’s domestic aviation market by serving more than 40 destinations, with a focus on secondary cities and remote airstrips underserved by larger airlines. The carrier plans to prioritise high-demand short-haul routes, using regional jets to balance efficiency and profitability.

K-impex Airline evolved from Knights Impex Limited, an import and export company founded in 1997, and was formally registered as an airline in 2021. The company is chaired by Nasiru Ado Bayero, a Nigerian banker and businessman who is also the emir of the Bichi Emirate Council in Kano State. Ozigi, a registered engineer, previously worked in the office of the governor of Kogi State.

The airline also plans to complement scheduled passenger services with private charter operations and gradually scale its fleet and network. Earlier plans had envisioned a broader mixed fleet, including Embraer regional jets, freighters, and business jets, but the current strategy reflects a more focused entry built around the E190.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com