Enugu Air announces long-term ambitions to fly to London and other global destinations

NIGERIA'S newest airline Enugu Air is planning to become a global player with ambitions to fly to international destinations like London in the not-too-distant future according to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State.

Earlier this week, aviation minister Festus Keyamo and Governor Mbah launched the new airline at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu. It becomes the second state-owned airline in Nigeria after Ibom Air, which was launched by the Akwa Ibom State government in 2019.

Governor Mbah described the launch of the Enugu Air as a triumph of vision, assuring members of the public that the airline would change the economic fortunes of the state positively. Pointing out that Enugu Air was established to create jobs and career paths for young people and offer a faster and more reliable access to markets, clients and capital by business people, he explained that the airline would expand beyond the present routes to other Nigerian cities and beyond.

“We are starting off with three Embraer aircraft, efficient elegant birds made for our terrain and our routes begin with a powerful golden triangle that includes Enugu to Abuja to Lagos. 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,” Governor Mbah added.

Mr Keyamo said: “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 but 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.

“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.”

Among other things, the minister also commended Enugu Air's choice of XEjet as an operational partner, describing them as highly competent and a 100% Nigeria-owned key player in the nation’s and Africa’s aviation industry. Mr Keyamo added: “XEJet is not only supporting Enugu Air, it is running the Sierra Leonean National Airline, which is what the Renewed Hope Agenda is all about."