The Edo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Express Airline and KDN Aero towards establishing its proposed state-owned airline, Edo Air.
Governor Monday Okpebholo announced the agreement in an X post on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, describing it as a significant step towards setting up the carrier.
The proposed airline is expected to create jobs, boost tourism, attract investment, expand business opportunities and improve access to air travel for residents of the state.
Okpebholo said the proposed airline was intended to support economic activities and create opportunities for residents and businesses, rather than simply establish another state-owned carrier.
He said the airline would create employment opportunities, boost tourism and attract investments into the state while expanding business activities.
The governor added that Edo Air would make air travel more accessible to residents, strengthen connectivity and open new economic opportunities for the state. He also expressed optimism about the project, declaring that Edo Air was coming.
However, the announcement did not disclose the proposed airline’s launch date, fleet size, route network, ownership structure or financial commitments by the partners.
The agreement followed a fact-finding visit to China by a seven-member Edo State delegation on September 14, 2026, to identify potential technical and operational partners for the proposed airline, according to a report.
Ikhilor said China Express made a stronger impression on the delegation, which toured its flight-monitoring operations and observed a system tracking flights across China, with 192 flights recorded by 10 a.m. on the day of the inspection.
The report said Okpebholo described the airline’s operational capacity as impressive and indicated that the proposed carrier could begin operations soon. At the signing, Li presented the governor with a model aircraft, while KDN Aero Managing Director Tianzhi Chen presented the company’s operations and capabilities.
Edo’s proposed airline follows similar initiatives by other state governments seeking to establish or support commercial air services.
Edo Air’s proposed partnership with China Express Airline and KDN Aero adds the state to a growing list of Nigerian states pursuing aviation projects. Its eventual operations will depend on the next stages of the agreement and the development of the airline’s operational plans.
