July 12, 2025

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Mixed reactions trail launch of Enugu Air

Enugu State Government, under Governor Peter Mbah, earlier this week, floated an airline, the Enugu Air.

 

Akanu Ibiam International AirportThus becoming the second state to own a commercial airline in Nigeria and the first in South East Nigeria. The first is Ibom Airline, which was set up in June 2019 and wholly owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government, in the South-South region of the country.

 

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation Development, Festus Keyamo, performed the ceremony at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

 

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Mbah described the launch of the Enugu Air as a triumph of vision, assuring that the airline would change the economic fortunes of the state positively.

 

“We are starting off with three Embraer aircraft, efficient elegant birds made for our terrain. Our routes begin with a powerful golden triangle: Enugu to Abuja to Lagos,” he said.

 

He explained that the airline would expand beyond the present routes to other Nigerian cities and beyond. “From there, we will stretch our wings to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano and across various other cities.

 

But, we are not stopping there. In the next phase, we will fly beyond Nigeria, into other African countries, China, Europe, UK, US and other global business hubs,” he stated.

 

He said Enugu Air was established to create jobs and career paths for young people, a faster and more reliable access to markets, clients and capital by business people.

 

He noted that it would also serve as a ready gateway to collaboration and an opportunity for investors interested in Enugu.

 

However, Keyamo commended Gov Mbah for his persistence in ensuring that the airline was established.

 

“Governor Peter Mbah was the first governor that visited me immediately after I was sworn in as a minister. I said this man will not even allow me to settle down first. The governor was relentless, persistent and pushing to the extent that I asked, ‘This private sector experience you are bringing into Enugu, do you want Enugu to explode?’

 

“It was incredible. He was not even waiting for us to come to him. He was coming to Abuja almost every week to press the button to make sure that a couple of things happen and this is just one of them,” he said.

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