The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, on Monday, officially launched Enugu Air, the Enugu State-owned commercial airline, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu.
In his speech, Keyamo applauded the Enugu State Governor’s proactivity in matters of the state, which he said gives him an edge over intending gubernatorial candidates come the 2027 general election in Nigeria.
“Governor Peter Mbah was the first governor to visit me immediately after I was sworn in as a Minister. He was relentless, persistent, and pushing to the extent that I asked him, 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,” the Minister said.
Keyamo further revealed the state Governor’s plan to attract private sector investment and his Ministry’s readiness to approve regional operations for Enugu Air, from Enugu to African States;
“The private sector is coming into Enugu Airport, driven by the Governor. Without the drive of the Private sector, we are running the airport at a loss. 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 assures.
He further commended the choice of XEJet as the partner and operator of Enugu Air. He described XEJet as a highly competent and 100 per cent Nigeria-owned key player in the nation’s and Africa’s aviation industry.
Speaking at the launch, the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, revealed Enugu Air’s initial and intended routes;
“We are starting off with three Embraer aircraft – efficient, elegant birds made for our terrain. Our initial routes form a powerful golden triangle: 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, the UK, the US, and other global business hubs,” Enugu State Governor projects.
“Enugu Air is a triumph of vision, a testament to Nigeria’s immense aviation potential and economic renaissance. It was established to create jobs and career paths for our young people; faster and more reliable access to markets, clients, and capital for businesspeople; simpler and more dignified access to home for the diaspora; and a ready gateway to collaboration and opportunity for investors interested in Enugu,” Mbah said.
“What we launched is more than an airline. It is a symbol of the future we see – one defined by courage, innovation, and relentless progress. Enugu Air is our runway to greatness. And we are only just taking off,” Mbah reiterates.
Governor Mbah further appreciates the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering support; the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, and the dedicated teams in the Ministry and Aviation Agency.
“I also extend my deepest appreciation to Fidelity Bank PLC and our operating partner, XEJet, for their confidence in this vision and their support,” Mbah stated.
