Caliphate Air has taken delivery of its first Embraer E190 in Abuja, giving the Sokoto State-backed start-up a larger jet type alongside its existing ERJ145 regional aircraft. The aircraft arrived in Nigeria on 28 August after a ferry flight from Florida via Paramaribo and Sal, while the airline continues to work through the approvals needed before it can begin scheduled passenger services.
The E190 expands the carrier’s planned mixed fleet and lifts its seating capacity beyond the 50-seat ERJ145s already in its possession. One report identified the aircraft as a 13-year-old E190LR registered 5N-ALU, previously operated by China Southern Airlines, Bamboo Airways and Regional One.
Caliphate Air is still completing its Air Operator Certificate process, so commercial operations have not started. The Abuja-based carrier has previously outlined domestic routes including Sokoto, Abuja and Kano, with a target launch in the fourth quarter of 2026.