The Ebonyi State Government has announced the full commencement of commercial flight operations at the Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke, starting June 13, 2025.
Commissioner for Aviation and Transport Technology, Dr. Ngozi Obichukwu, made this known during a media briefing at the airport. She disclosed that United Nigeria Airlines will operate scheduled flights twice a week—Abuja on Mondays and Lagos on Fridays.
This follows successful runway upgrades and months of charter test flights. The airport had initially suspended operations after aviation regulators flagged issues with its concrete runway. It has now been reconstructed with asphalt, meeting safety standards.
Dr. Obichukwu also revealed that Governor Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru has subsidized ticket prices to ₦100,000 for both Abuja and Lagos routes—less than half of the typical airfare. “It’s a strategic move to celebrate the transformative impact of this two-year-old administration,” she said.
She further highlighted the state’s plans to activate cargo export operations, leveraging the airport’s facilities for the international shipment of agricultural produce and solid minerals such as yams, rice, cassava, salt, and limestone. According to her, negotiations are ongoing with trade partners in Dubai and Canada.
Obichukwu emphasized that Ebonyi is now positioned for global trade and national inclusion: “This airport is not just about travel. It’s a symbol of our economic transformation.”
The Commissioner thanked regulatory agencies—NCAA, FAAN, and NAMA—for their support and confirmed full compliance with aviation standards. She also announced that a digital booking platform is 80% complete and will go live by October 2025, making access easier for global travelers.
Calling on citizens to take advantage of the subsidized fares, she warned that the Abuja flight was already nearly full: “It’s strictly first come, first served.”
“This airport redefines Ebonyi’s place in Nigeria. We’re no longer on the sidelines—we’re taking off,” she concluded.
