ENUGU AIR TAKES OFF: NEW STATE-OWNED AIRLINE SET TO TRANSFORM REGIONAL AVIATION

Enugu State is preparing to make aviation history with the launch of its very own airline.

Enugu Air—scheduled to lift off for commercial operations on Monday, July 7, 2025. This groundbreaking initiative positions the state as the first in Nigeria’s South‑East to operate a sub-national airline, a move many are hailing as visionary and long overdue.

A NEW ERA FOR ENUGU’S SKIES

The new airline, birthed through the ambitious leadership of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, signals more than just the addition of flights to Enugu’s skies—it marks the dawn of a reimagined regional mobility experience.

With Enugu Air, the state is rewriting its story from a regional destination to a central aviation hub in the South‑East.

Enugu Air will take off from Akanu Ibiam International Airport, which recently reopened after undergoing critical runway rehabilitation.

This timing couldn’t be more perfect, aligning infrastructure readiness with a strategic leap into aviation business.

DESTINATIONS AND FLEET STRATEGY

Enugu Air’s initial flight routes will serve Nigeria’s busiest air corridors, connecting Enugu to Lagos and Abuja, ensuring both business and leisure travelers from the South‑East are plugged into national networks without delay or difficulty.

In the near future, the airline will expand to other regional cities including:

Port Harcourt

Benin City

Owerri

Kano

To support this network, Enugu Air is deploying a modern fleet of three Embraer jets—two E170s and one E190.

These aircraft are known for their fuel efficiency, comfort, and suitability for Nigeria’s short-to-medium haul flight routes.

THE XEJET PARTNERSHIP: EXPERIENCE MEETS VISION

Behind the scenes, Enugu Air is not flying solo. The state government has struck a strategic operations partnership with Xejet Aviation, a recognized operator in Nigeria’s aviation space.

Xejet is expected to provide operational guidance, crew support, ground handling, and compliance supervision as the airline settles into full ownership and control by the state.

This public-private collaboration ensures that technical competence backs political ambition, giving Enugu Air the runway it needs to soar sustainably.

BEYOND TRANSPORT: A BLUEPRINT FOR GROWTH

Governor Peter Mbah’s vision for Enugu Air extends well beyond aviation. According to his administration, the project is deeply woven into the $30 billion economy blueprint for Enugu State, aimed at accelerating:

Job creation

Tourism

Trade and logistics

Investment inflows into the South‑East region

The governor stated that “Enugu Air is not just a transport solution—it is a bridge to the future we are building. It connects dreams, closes distances, and brings the world to our doorstep.”