Mbah Flags Off Enugu Air’s Maiden International Flight to Douala

…Enugu Air CEO: Enugu is becoming a gateway to Africa

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Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Wednesday flagged off Enugu Air’s maiden international flight from Enugu to Douala, Cameroon, describing the development as a major milestone in his administration’s efforts to position the state as a regional aviation and economic hub.

The inaugural flight, which departed from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, marked Enugu Air’s first international operation barely 14 months after the state-owned airline commenced operations.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Mbah said the new route was part of a broader strategy to transform Enugu into a preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living, as well as contribute to the administration’s ambition of building a $30 billion state economy.

“Months ago, right here, we watched Enugu take to the skies. In just barely six months after a rigorous regulatory process, Enugu Air obtained her Air Operator’s License. This is not a mean feat,” the governor said.

According to him, Enugu Air’s rapid expansion demonstrated that the airline was conceived as more than a political achievement, but as a strategic component of the state’s economic development master plan.

“Today, 14 months after, we can see that dream flying beyond our expectations, as Enugu Air is one of the fastest-growing airlines in Nigeria, without a doubt.

“But we did not conceive of Enugu Air as a bragging right or because of the clamour, or to gain some political acclaim. Enugu Air is part of the masterplan to make Enugu State the premier destination for investment, living, business and tourism. For us, Enugu Air is part of connecting the dots,” he said.

Mbah described the Enugu-Douala route as the fulfilment of a campaign promise, adding that the new international service would be followed by further expansion into other African destinations and, ultimately, the wider international market.

“What you are seeing here today is performance above promises. So, we ask you to judge us by the things we have promised and have delivered to you.

“Besides, today is Douala, but I am hoping tomorrow, we are not only going to be talking about the continent of Africa, we will be talking about Enugu to the world,” he added.

The governor also commended President Bola Tinubu for his support for aviation infrastructure and thanked the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, as well as relevant agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), for supporting Enugu Air’s growth.

The Chief Executive Officer of Enugu Air, Capt. Tolu Ita, said the inaugural international service represented a new phase in the airline’s development and Enugu’s emergence as a regional gateway.

“This is a chapter in which Enugu is no longer simply where a journey begins or ends. Enugu is becoming a gateway,” Ita said.

She explained that Enugu Air’s ambition extended beyond operating aircraft, noting that the airline was established to connect people, markets and economic opportunities.

According to her, the airline began by building its domestic network, connecting Enugu with Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Owerri, Asaba, Benin City and Warri.

“Today, we take our first major step beyond Nigeria. Enugu to Douala. Nigeria to Cameroon. The Southeast to Central Africa. And this is only the beginning,” she said.

Ita added that the airline would continue expanding its regional network across Africa while progressively opening access to wider international markets.

She also reaffirmed Enugu Air’s commitment to maintaining high operational and ethical standards in its dealings with aviation authorities, passengers and other stakeholders.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, described the inaugural international service as a significant development for Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Represented at the ceremony by Mrs. Onyeka Udenze, the FAAN chief executive said the flight was “a strong statement of Nigeria’s growing capacity to connect people and businesses across West and Central Africa.”

She said the development had also positioned Akanu Ibiam International Airport to take “a firm step as a regional hub”, assuring that FAAN remained committed to providing the infrastructure, safety standards and institutional support required to sustain the new service.

The Director of Air Transport Regulations, Mrs. Olayinka Babaoye-Iruobe, who represented the Director-General of the NCAA, said the direct Enugu-Douala connection would create opportunities for increased trade, investment and tourism while strengthening social and economic ties between Nigeria and Cameroon.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, described the new route as a major development in Enugu State’s trade and economic integration strategy.

He said the direct connection would help reduce the difficulties previously faced by traders, manufacturers and entrepreneurs seeking access to markets in Central Africa.

“For decades, the vibrant traders, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs of Enugu and the broader region have navigated complex transit routes to access Central African markets.

“Today, that barrier is dismantled. This direct link directly advances our goal of transforming Enugu State into a premier regional hub for commerce and industrial development. We are now effectively bridging markets, shortening supply chains, and unlocking unprecedented opportunities for cross-border commerce across Central and West Africa,” Ogbu-Nwobodo said.

The maiden flight departed the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, in the afternoon and arrived safely at the Douala International Airport, where it was received by Cameroonian authorities during a brief welcome ceremony.

The aircraft subsequently returned to Enugu, completing Enugu Air’s first international round trip and marking a new chapter in the state-owned airline’s operations.