The Federal Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, on Monday officially inaugurated Enugu Air, the newly established state-owned airline by the Peter Mbah-led administration in Enugu State.
Newsonspot reports that speaking during the ceremony at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, Keyamo praised Governor Mbah’s relentless drive and private-sector-style governance in bringing the project to life.
“Governor Peter Mbah was the very first governor to visit me right after I was sworn in,” Keyamo recalled. “He was so persistent and hands-on that I wondered if he wanted to make Enugu explode. His passion and dedication were unstoppable.”
The minister also commended the state’s choice of XEJet, a fully Nigerian-owned aviation firm, as its operating partner. He described XEJet as a reputable and capable player in both the local and African aviation sectors.
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In his address, Governor Mbah hailed the airline’s launch as a “triumph of vision” and a milestone that highlights Nigeria’s untapped aviation and economic potential. He revealed that Enugu Air is kicking off operations with three Embraer aircraft, covering a strategic “golden triangle” route: Enugu-Abuja-Lagos.
The governor further disclosed that the airline will soon expand to other Nigerian cities such as Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, and Kano. Plans are also underway to scale internationally, with future routes targeting Africa, China, Europe, the UK, the US, and other global destinations.
According to him, Enugu Air aims to create jobs, boost investor confidence, support youth careers in aviation, improve access to markets, and connect the diaspora more efficiently to their roots.
Governor Mbah expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Minister Keyamo, aviation agencies, Fidelity Bank, and other partners for their support in making the dream of a state-owned airline a reality.
