The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development in Nigeria, Barr Festus Keyamo, has revealed that high-level bilateral trade negotiations are ongoing to secure direct logistics flights between China and the Southeast by the end of 2026.
The deal is to commence direct cargo flight operations between the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and Guangzhou, China by the end of 2026.
Barr Festus Keyamo revealed this on Thursday in Lagos at the unveiling ceremony of the United Nigeria Airlines’ newly acquired Boeing 737-800NG aircraft; the planes were uniquely named in honor of prominent Nigerian icons: the Obi of Onitsha, HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, and the late literary giant, Professor Chinua Achebe.
Barr. Keyamo, in his speech, revealed that the FG had effected a structural overhaul of management at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, bringing the airport under a privately run operational framework.
“One of our prides in the South is the Enugu International Airport. The Enugu governor approached Mr. President, noting that the airport was not maximizing its economic potential under standard bureaucratic structures, and requested to bring in private investors to run it.”
“As I speak with you, Enugu International Airport is now fully privately owned and fully supported by the state government, with the clear objective of also turning it into a dedicated cargo hub for the entire Southeast.”
“Just two days ago, the Enugu governor and I were actively negotiating the first direct cargo flight from Guangzhou, China, straight into Enugu.
“We are targeting December for the maiden flight. This will allow our Southeast merchants and traders in China to consolidate their goods into unified cargo accounts twice a week, flying straight into Enugu for seamless delivery to hubs like Onitsha and Aba,” the Honorable Minister disclosed.
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