In a landmark moment for Nigeria’s aviation landscape, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK), on Monday inaugurated the maiden commercial flight of Enugu Air, the newly established state-owned airline by the Enugu State Government.
The colourful ceremony, held at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, marked the official takeoff of the carrier and a bold move by the state government to strengthen regional air connectivity and economic development.
Accompanied by a high-level delegation including the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo; Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Farouk Umar; and senior directors from various aviation agencies, the Minister described the launch as a “trailblazing initiative.”
“This is a shining example of what is possible when sub-national leadership is matched with bold vision and strategic investment,” Keyamo said. “Governor Peter Mbah has proven that states can be powerful drivers of infrastructure development and regional integration. The establishment of Enugu Air is a milestone not just for Enugu but for Nigeria’s entire aviation industry.”
Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, in his remarks, thanked the Honourable Minister and officials from the Federal Ministry of Aviation for their unwavering support. He described Enugu Air as a transformative project, positioned to catalyze tourism, commerce, and industrial expansion across the South East and beyond.
“Enugu Air is not merely a means of transportation—it is a gateway to economic transformation,” the governor stated. “This airline will connect Enugu to the rest of Nigeria and eventually the world.”
Enugu Air is operated in partnership with Xejet, a fast-growing domestic airline led by aviation entrepreneur Mr. Emmanuel Iza. The collaboration is geared towards ensuring operational efficiency, passenger comfort, and adherence to global safety standards from the outset. The airline is expected to commence with routes linking Enugu to major Nigerian cities, with plans for regional and international expansion already in motion.
The Ministry of Aviation reiterated its support for innovative public-private partnerships in the aviation sector and assured that the federal government would continue to provide an enabling regulatory environment for sustainable airline operations.
Also present at the event was Mr. Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, whose coordination and communication efforts have been instrumental in highlighting the Ministry’s reform agenda and sectoral milestones.
The event concluded with a ceremonial water cannon salute for the inaugural flight, followed by a tour of the airline’s facilities and a strong reaffirmation of support from both federal and state stakeholders for the continued growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
