Fly Elite Targets Nigerian AOC by End-2026
Fly Elite is progressing toward securing its own Nigerian air operator’s certificate (AOC), with plans to obtain approval by the end of 2026, according to chief executive David Adebiyi.
The Lagos-based charter operator began the certification process in late 2024 and has since aligned its manuals and documentation with the requirements of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Adebiyi said the company is currently in phase two of the multi-stage certification process, with phases three, four, and five still to be completed before final approval.
Fly Elite currently operates two company-owned aircraft: a Hawker 850XP and a Challenger 604, the latter added in early February. Both jets are based in Lagos and also serve Abuja. For now, charter flights are conducted under the AOC of partner Mounthill Aviation Resources.
Adebiyi said transitioning to an in-house AOC is driven by operational and commercial considerations. Operating under its own certificate would provide greater autonomy, allowing the company to make strategic decisions independently rather than relying on an external operator. He added that holding its own AOC would strengthen Fly Elite’s market credibility and eliminate perceptions of functioning as a sub-brand under another entity.
The addition of the Challenger 604 marks a step forward in Fly Elite’s long-range charter ambitions. Adebiyi noted that the aircraft’s range and payload capabilities enable services beyond West Africa into intercontinental markets. Since joining the fleet, the jet has already completed international missions, including a charter to the Caribbean.
Looking ahead, Fly Elite plans to expand its international charter footprint and reinforce its long-range jet offering. The company is also exploring opportunities in the rotary-wing segment to complement its fixed-wing operations, though it intends to maintain a focused fleet strategy rather than pursue rapid diversification.
If the AOC is secured as planned, Fly Elite would gain full regulatory independence in Nigeria’s growing private aviation market, positioning it for sustained expansion across regional and long-haul charter segments.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com