Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has inaugurated Enugu Air, a newly established commercial airline owned by the Enugu State government. The launch event, held in Enugu on Monday, marks a milestone in the state’s ambition to become a regional aviation hub in Nigeria and West Africa.
Speaking at the event, Keyamo commended Governor Peter Mbah’s visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of the airline project, describing the governor as one of Nigeria’s most effective leaders. He revealed that Mbah was the first governor to visit him after his ministerial appointment and credited his persistence for accelerating the airline’s establishment.
“Governor Mbah was not waiting for us to come to him—he was in Abuja every week, pushing this vision. Today, we are launching Enugu Air because of that tenacity,” Keyamo said.
To fast-track operations, the state partnered with XE Jet, an established Nigerian airline, which allowed Enugu Air to bypass the lengthy process of securing a fresh Air Operator Certificate (AOC). The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) approved the partnership, enabling the airline to commence operations with three Embraer jets.
The new airline will initially operate flights on the Enugu–Abuja–Lagos route, with plans to expand to Port Harcourt, Kano, Owerri, Benin and other domestic destinations. Governor Mbah announced that in the next phase, Enugu Air will fly to other African countries and eventually to global business hubs including China, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Europe.
“This airline is not just about connectivity; it’s an economic enabler, a job creator, and a symbol of what’s possible with bold leadership. Enugu Air has given wings to our vision,” Mbah said. He emphasized that the project is aligned with his administration’s plan to grow Enugu’s economy sevenfold and drastically reduce poverty.
Mbah also highlighted that the airline is part of a broader transport strategy that includes a city-wide Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, 2,000 hybrid city taxis, and improved airport operations. The combined efforts are expected to create over 20,000 jobs.
To support aviation oversight and encourage business ease, NCAA Director-General Chris Najomo announced the establishment of a regional NCAA office in Enugu. He reaffirmed that the agency is committed to ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and customer-centric services.
Keyamo also revealed plans to concession the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to a consortium of private investors, stating that the airport would undergo a complete transformation in the coming years. “Private sector participation is coming, and with it, Enugu will become a truly international hub,” he said.
He advised the Enugu Air management to ensure professional operations, warning against political interference, bureaucracy, and a culture of free tickets that had plagued past ventures. “If the governor is two minutes late, shut the door. Let professionalism guide everything you do,” he warned.
The inauguration was attended by high-ranking state officials, business leaders, and aviation stakeholders. Enugu Air’s inaugural flights—Lagos to Enugu, and Enugu to Abuja—also took off immediately after the ceremony, signaling a new era in the state’s transport sector.
Mbah expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Minister Keyamo, the NCAA, Fidelity Bank, and XE Jet for their roles in actualising the airline. He reiterated that Enugu Air is “a gold standard for government-private partnerships” and a bold step toward achieving the state’s economic and aviation aspirations.
