Did You Know That Okada Air Was The First Private Commercial Airline Carrier In Nigeria?

Okada Air was
an airline based in Benin City, Nigeria. The carrier was established in 1983
with a fleet of BAC-One Eleven 300s and started charter operations in September
the same year. In 1984, a Boeing 707-355C was acquired for cargo operations. By
1990, ten BAC One-Elevens were bought, and eight more were acquired in 1991.
The company was granted the right of operating international flights in 1992.

Okada Air is not only regarded as the first indigenous Nigerian airline, but it was also regarded as one of the largest independent African airlines prior to its collapse. At one point, it operated the Boeing 747-100 on ad-hoc charter flights across the globe, even across the Pacific Ocean. They also flew pilgrims to the Holy Lands every year.

In 1984, a Boeing 707-355C was acquired for cargo operations. By 1990, ten BAC One-Elevens were bought, and eight more were acquired in 1991. The company was granted the right of operating international flights in 1992.

Destinations

Okada Air
served the following destinations throughout its history:

Abuja – Nnamdi
Azikiwe International Airport

Benin – Benin
Airport

Enugu – Akanu
Ibiam International Airport

Jos – Yakubu
Gowon Airport

Kaduna – Kaduna
Airport

Kano – Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport

Lagos – Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Port Harcourt –
Port Harcourt International Airport

Yola – Yola
Airport

Part of its historical
fleet included the following:

BAC
One-Eleven-200,

BAC
One-Eleven-300

BAC
One-Eleven-400

BAC
One-Eleven-500

Boeing 727-200

Boeing 707-300

Boeing 747-100

Douglas DC-8-62

Sud Aviation Caravelle

Dornier Do 228-100

PZL W-3 Sokół
(one)

In 1997, the company was disestablished or better put, went under. It tried to return but at the time of its comeback, the Federal government – following an air crash – had banned aircraft BAC 1-11 and for an airline that had almost 20 BAC 1-11 during the time of that policy, it was quite difficult to bounce back with such a policy. The Nigerian media at one point reported Okada Air as planning to resume operations, but that plan hasn’t seen the daylight yet. There were plans to purchase 4 Boeing 727-200s and resume their flights, but nothing materialized after at least two restart attempts.

The owner of Okada Air is Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin; Esama meaning ‘Son of the People’.

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