UK CAA grants Omni-Blu permit to operate Lagos-Gatwick flights for Enugu Air

New Telegraph reported that the permit was issued under Article 250 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 and authorises Omni-Blu Aviation to operate international scheduled air services under the Air Transport Agreement between the UK and Nigeria. Enugu Air, which is owned by Enugu State, announced the approval in a statement issued on 5 November, Nairametrics reported, and named Omni-Blu as designated operator under a strategic partnership.

Permit terms

New Telegraph reported that the permit is a UK and Northern Ireland Foreign Aircraft Operating Permit numbered FOP-2026-106430-001. David Kendrick signed it for the UK CAA on 4 November 2026. It took effect immediately and runs through 27 March 2027, covering Lagos (DNMM) to London Gatwick (EGKK) and back.

The document sets strict lease and aircraft conditions, according to New Telegraph. Omni-Blu may not operate the route with aircraft authorised under its own Air Operator Certificate or under Enugu Air's. It may not use aircraft leased from another airline without specific authorisation from the Secretary of State. The permit names one airframe, registration CS-TGD, held under a wet lease agreement with EuroAtlantic Airways. Frequency must match the schedule in the application the CAA received on 15 September 2026.

Conflicting start dates

Reports differ on whether Enugu Air has opened bookings or fixed a start date. Champion quoted a statement saying bookings are now open and flights will commence in December 2026. Independent Newspaper Nigeria also reported that bookings were open and operations were scheduled to start in December 2026. New Telegraph reported that promoters said operations would start on 1 December 2026.

Nairametrics reported on 5 November that Enugu Air had not announced a commencement date or flight schedules and said information on schedules, bookings and commencement would be communicated through official channels in due course. Realnews said the airline's statement did not give flight frequency or aircraft type. Nairametrics also reported that Enugu Air did not disclose ticket prices.

BASA and Air Peace

Air Peace is currently the only Nigerian airline operating scheduled direct passenger flights to the UK. Nairametrics reported that it began Lagos-Gatwick on 30 March 2024 after seeking Heathrow and settling for Gatwick amid slot difficulties, with economy fares from N1.2 million at launch. In June 2025 the Federal Government said it had secured a Heathrow slot after diplomatic negotiations with the UK. Direct Abuja-Heathrow flights began on 26 October 2025.

New Telegraph reported that the permit would make Omni-Blu the second Nigerian carrier cleared for scheduled flights into London under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, after Air Peace. Under BASA, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are capped at a combined 21 weekly frequencies into Lagos and Abuja from Heathrow, split 14 and seven. Air Peace used 13 weekly frequencies: seven Lagos-Gatwick, three Abuja-Gatwick and three Abuja-Heathrow. That left Nigeria eight frequencies short of the UK total. New Telegraph reported Omni-Blu would launch with four weekly frequencies, leaving four unused for other Nigerian carriers to claim.

Enugu Air's fleet and history

Enugu Air began commercial operations on 7 July 2025 under interim authorisation from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. XEJet was operational partner, providing aircraft and an operating framework. Nairametrics reported that it launched with three Embraer 170 aircraft, each with about 76 seats, on Enugu-Abuja and Enugu-Lagos. Champion described the initial fleet as three Embraer aircraft from the E170 and E190 series.

The NCAA granted the airline its own Air Operator Certificate on 10 March 2026. Champion reported that Enugu Air operated its maiden international flight to Douala, Cameroon, on 23 September 2026, six weeks before the London approval. Enugu Air credited Governor Peter Mbah's vision and leadership, while Realnews reported the route forms part of the Enugu State Government's aviation expansion agenda, aimed at positioning the state as a gateway for international connectivity, investment and tourism.