Edo Signs MoU With Chinese Firms To Launch Edo Air

By Trending9ja Staff • November 4, 2026 • 1 min read

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has taken steps toward creating a new state-owned carrier, Edo Air, after entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with two Chinese aviation firms. According to Punch, the pact was signed on Wednesday at the Government House in Benin City between the state authority, China Express Airline Co. Ltd, and KDN Aero.

Speaking after the ceremony, Okpebholo stated that the agreement marks the initial phase of an extended partnership with the foreign investors. The governor expressed confidence that the proposed airline would start flight operations soon, following a comprehensive presentation on the operational capacity of the Chinese firm.

Punch gathered that the deal resulted from an earlier fact-finding mission sent to China on September 14, 2026. The state delegation was led by Umar Ikhilor, the Secretary to the State Government, who explained that the trip was ordered by the governor to identify potential technical partners for the project.

The inspection team featured senior officials including Head of Service Dr Anthony Okungbowa, Accountant-General Julius Anelu, and Chief Aviation Consultant Captain Nuhu Musa. While abroad, the team visited the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China and the headquarters of China Express Airline, where they observed flight-monitoring centers managing close to two hundred active flights.

After assessing the facilities, state officials chose China Express as the technical partner for Edo Air. At the Benin event, China Express President Shansheng Li presented a model airplane to Okpebholo, while KDN Aero Managing Director Tianzhi Chen detailed the partnership plans alongside Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa and other top government figures.

Sources: Punch