Edo Air takes shape as Okpebholo seals partnership with Chinese airline

By Osho Olatonmiwa

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Express Airline Co. Ltd and KDN Aero as part of plans to establish a state-owned airline, Edo Air.

The agreement was announced in a statement from the Edo State Government’s Office of the Governor following the signing ceremony at Government House, Benin City, on Wednesday.

Okpebholo expressed confidence in the partnership, saying the Chinese airline’s operational capacity had convinced his administration to proceed. He added that Edo Air would take to the skies soon.

Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, said the agreement followed a fact-finding visit to China by a seven-member delegation on September 14, 2026, to assess potential partners.

The delegation visited China Express Airline and aircraft manufacturer COMAC, with Ikhilor identifying the airline’s flight-monitoring facilities and operational capacity as key factors in its selection.

China Express President, Shansheng Li, led the delegation, while KDN Aero Managing Director, Tianzhi Chen, presented the company’s operational capabilities.

The state government said the partnership would provide a foundation for further steps towards establishing Edo Air and strengthening the state’s aviation sector.