Enugu, Nigeria – The skies over Nigeria welcomed a new player yesterday, Monday, July 7, 2025, as Enugu Air, a state-owned commercial airline, officially launched its operations. This significant milestone, revealed in a statement by the Enugu State Government last Thursday, marks a major step in Governor Peter Mbah’s integrated blueprint for a modern, multimodal transport ecosystem, aimed at transforming Enugu into a major aviation hub.
The grand launch ceremony, held at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, was graced by an array of dignitaries, with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, serving as the Special Guest of Honour.
Dr. Obi Ozor, the Commissioner for Transportation, whose signature adorned the official statement, confirmed the airline’s initial fleet and ambitious route plans. “Enugu Air will take off with an initial fleet of three Embraer aircraft, E170 and E190 series, selected for their efficiency, comfort, and adaptability to the regional market,” Dr. Ozor stated. He elaborated on the inaugural routes, which will establish a ‘golden triangle’ with Enugu at its core, connecting Abuja and Lagos. Subsequent expansions will see the airline stretching its wings to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and other strategic cities across Nigeria and beyond.
“With a strong foundation of innovation and sustainability, we are ready to redefine air travel, instill pride, and elevate Enugu’s prominence on the national and global stage,” Ozor affirmed, concluding with an emphatic, “Let the countdown begin—Enugu Air is ready for takeoff.”
Minister Festus Keyamo, SAN, formally inaugurated Enugu Air, which commences operations with its three Embraer airplanes. Recalling Governor Mbah’s relentless persistence and energy in bringing Enugu Air to reality, Keyamo lauded him as “an incredible, performing governor.” The Minister highlighted Mbah’s proactive approach, noting, “Governor Peter Mbah was the first governor that visited me immediately 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. Dr. Peter Mbah was coming to Abuja almost every week to press the button to make sure that a couple of things happen and this (launch of Enugu Air) is just one of them.”
Keyamo particularly commended Enugu State’s choice of XEJet as its partner and operator, describing XEJet as a highly competent and 100 percent Nigerian-owned key player in the nation’s and Africa’s aviation industry. “XEJet is not only supporting Enugu Air, it is running the Sierra Leonean National Airline. That is what the Renewed Hope Agenda is all about,” he stated, aligning the partnership with the federal government’s vision for local content development.
Addressing public concerns, the Minister dismissed misgivings over the federal government’s plan to concession the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA). He lauded Governor Mbah’s strenuous efforts towards ensuring the imminent completion and operationalization of the airport, indicating that private sector involvement is crucial for its future. “He also came back to us and said, ‘look, I want to attract private sector investment into Enugu Airport. I will not wait for bureaucracy to run this airport for the good of Enugu people. The pace of development is too slow.’ I said, ‘Your Excellency, just finish the Enugu Air first.’ He said no. As I speak to you, in the next few months, and few years, Enugu Airport will not be what you see here today. Private sector is coming into Enugu Airport, driven by the governor,” Keyamo revealed. “We are running the airport at a loss because we don’t have the drive of the private sector. But Enugu will be a bigger international hub now and we are going to approve regional operations from here to African States. Bring your letter tomorrow we will approve it.”
Keyamo, despite being from a different political party, openly acknowledged Governor Mbah’s exceptional performance. “Dr. Peter Mbah, you are a PDP, but we are afraid of you. The way you are going, we don’t know what will happen. We don’t know how to draw a scheme to defeat you, but we will be planning,” he jocularly remarked, echoing President Bola Tinubu’s sentiments. “It is an incredible vision you have here. Mr. President has said it himself. I am only reflecting what the president said. Beyond party lines, we should not be afraid to say it. You have a progressive spirit and you have done well for Enugu State. You are one of the best performing governors.”
He urged the governor and the CEO of Enugu Air to ensure the airline is run professionally like a business, advising against falling into the pitfalls that led to the demise of past national carriers like Nigeria Airways. “Do not let bureaucracy kill Enugu Air. Be prompt in your departure and arrival,” he cautioned, also urging the people of Enugu State to patronize their own airline.
Speaking passionately, Governor Mbah described the launch of Enugu Air as “a triumph of vision, a testament to Nigeria’s immense aviation potential and economic renaissance.” He reiterated the airline’s expansion plans: “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. From there, we 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.”
Mbah emphasized that Enugu Air was established with a clear mandate: to create jobs and career paths for young people, provide faster and more reliable access to markets, clients, and capital for business people, offer simpler and more dignified access to home for the diaspora, and serve as a ready gateway to collaboration and opportunity for investors interested in Enugu.
He extended profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Minister Keyamo, various agencies under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and Fidelity Bank, among others, for their unwavering support in realizing the state carrier.
Earlier, Dr. Obi Ozor, the Enugu State Commissioner for Transportation, assured all present that Enugu Air would undoubtedly live up to its ambitious dreams. The Managing Director of Fidelity Bank PLC, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, and the CEO of XEJet, Engr. Ayuba Emmanuel, both lauded Governor Mbah as a visionary and courageous leader, pledging their continued partnership to help actualize his transformative dreams for the state.
The event witnessed a massive turnout of Enugu people and was graced by numerous dignitaries, including the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, signaling a collective excitement for this new chapter in Enugu’s development.
The inauguration of Air Enugu marks a pivotal moment for Enugu State, promising improved accessibility, increased trade, and enhanced tourism. As the newest player in Nigeria’s aviation sector, all eyes will be on Air Enugu as it navigates the competitive skies, aiming to fulfill its mandate of transforming air travel and contributing to the socio-economic development of the region.
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