Enugu Air: A new business dream realised, strengthens Mbah’s ‘tomorrow is here’ mantra
REGIS ANUKWUOJI
NCAA grants Enugu Air operational clearance via XEJET pending AOC completion
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Monday, July 7, 2025 will remain a red-letter day for all indigenes of Enugu State and all lovers of good things. It was a day history was made when the sky of Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu, blazed with the glory of a brand new dark green and white-coloured eagle (aircraft) owned by the state government.
The eagle landed at about 1pm on that fateful day with many dignitaries on board, namely, Governor Peter Mbah, Festus Keyàmo, minister of Aviation and Aerospace, among many other stakeholders.
History made in Enugu
That very day marked a new beginning of marketing Enugu and its potential to the international market.
The initiator of the project, Governor Mbah announced that very soon the Airline would be flying outside Nigeria to the United Kingdom and other foreign countries direct from Enugu.
This is the first time Enugu State government would be floating a commercial airline aimed at changing the state that was known for coal mining to a tourism hub in Nigeria.
This is a dream come true as thousands of people who live in Enugu, government functionaries, ex-governors, deputies and many others from neighbouring states trooped out to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport to witness what seemed to some as miracle and impossible feat.
As the plane with 5N-ENU and Enugu Air boldly inscribed on it touched the ground and parked at Airport’s tarmac, many indigenes started to hail the governor, some said he was performing miracles, some were asking how and where the man generates the fund with which he is doing all that he is doing in the state, some went close to the plane to see if the bird was refurbished, but discovered it is a brand new aircraft and they marveled.
This was when many at the Airport began to remember what Mbah said when he was presenting his manifestos to Ndi Enugu at the Godfrey Okoye University and his maiden speech at the Michael Okpara Square when he was being inaugurated. He had pledged to grow Enugu State economy from $4.4billion to $30 billon Gross Domestic Product (GDP), through industrialisation, tourism, improved infrastructure and creation of a more business-friendly environment, education, health, efficient transport system, among others. What happened at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport seems to have shown that Mbah has actually brought his business ideas into governance and never like other politicians who only make promises without fulfilling any.
Mbah also promised to achieve a zero percent poverty headcount in the state through comprehensive social investment programmes, job creation, inclusive human development policies and enhanced access to quality education, investment and tourism hub. His aim is to position Enugu as Nigerian’s premier destination for investment and tourism, by transforming it into a modern, secure and attractive environment for investors and visitors alike.
Today, with the launch of Enugu Air, CNG buses and the security architecture, one can conveniently say that Enugu’s tomorrow is here indeed.
Inaugurating the Enugu Air, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, commended Governor Mbah for bringing his vision of ‘Enugu Air’ into reality.
Read also: New Enugu Air to boost passenger traffic, creat job opportunities – Airport Manager
Keyamo speaks on Mbah’s resilience
He commended the never-give-up spirit of the governor, who he said continued to mount pressure on him to ensure that what needed to be done was done to ensure that Enugu Air became a reality.
The Minister described Governor Mbah as “an incredible, performing governor.”
Keyamo said: “Governor Peter Mbah was the first governor that visited me immediately I was sworn in as a Minister. I said this man will not even allow me to settle down first. He was visiting me in Abuja almost every week.
“He has a big surprise for you in Enugu State and aviation. We began to work on his ground plan for the transportation system in Enugu State.
The governor was relentless, persistent and pushing to the extent that I said that this private sector experience you are bringing into Enugu, do you want to make Enugu to explode?
“It was incredible, he was not even waiting for us to come to him. Dr. Peter Mbah was coming to Abuja almost every week to press the button to make sure that a couple of things happen and that is on me of them. So, when we told him the process of an AOC, because before you start an airline, you must have an Air Operating Certificate, AOC.
“Sometimes, it takes two years to get your own AOC to operate; to start an airline because you have to go through so many procedures to get your own AOC. In the true spirit of getting proud of Enugu people, the heartbeat of the Eastern Nigeria, I saw that spirit in him. I said no wonder Enugu is far more successful in this region.
“He said no, I will not wait for two years. I will go and partner with someone who already has an AOC to enable us start immediately. I said OK, if that is what you want to do, we will support you because it is part of our rules that you can partner with anybody to start an airline with anybody with an existing AOC. So, he approached XE Jet, we approved it and all of a sudden, he went round, acquired the aircraft and here is the Enugu Air today ready to start. That is how to lead as a governor. Just get it done.
“I have seen the array of the commissioners he is parading here today, young, vibrant, intelligent, a reflective spirit with which he is running a state.
“So, he also came back to us and said look, I want to attract a private sector investment into Enugu Airport, I will not wait for bureaucracy to run this airport, the pace of development is too slow. I said ‘His Excellency, just finish the airline first. He said no, I will not finish the airline, I want private sector to take over this airport and run it for the good people of Enugu State. Before you know it, private individuals came together, some of the best companies in the management of airport. “
Keyamo informed the gathering that investors would soon take over the running of the airline.
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“They came together, driven by him, made a composition and as I speak with you, in the next few months, and few years, Enugu Airport will not be what you see here today. Private sector is coming into Enugu Airport, driven by the governor.
“Some people were saying no, we are selling and concessioning Enugu Airport, there is no way government can run an airport again in Nigeria for profit, we are running the airport at a loss because we don’t have the drive of the private sector.
“As I speak with you, the process is supported by Mr. President, FAAN, Ministry of Aviation, Committee of the National Assembly, and all. We are just at the process of handling Enugu Airport to private investor who will come and make this place open, including the cargo terminal. You can now process the export directly from Enugu here. It is for the good of Enugu people, the employment of Enugu people.”
Commending the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and management of XE Jet for accepting to operate the airline until further notice, the minister said: “Another person to mention is the CEO of XE Jet, the incredible and very humble human being. For him to have supported this project with his AOC, of course, Enugu AOC is on the way. So, very soon, we will remove ‘operated by XE Jet’ once it is through. XE Jet is not only supporting Enugu Air, it is running the Sierra Leonian National Airline. So, it is a Nigerian Operator that is supporting the National Airline of Sierra Leone. That is what the Renewed Hope Agenda is all about. This is what the president said we should do. That we should support private investors, local operators of their goals and development.”
Read also: NCAA grants Enugu Air operational clearance via XEJET pending AOC completion
Mbah’s excellent performance Wows Abuja
He also pointed out that Governor Mbah’s excellent performance so far has not gone unnoticed.
According to him, “Dr. Peter Mbah, you are a PDP but we are afraid of you. The way you are going we don’t know what will happen. We don’t know how to draw a scheme to defeat you but we will be planning. It is an incredible vision you have here. Mr. President has said it himself. I am only reflecting what the president said. Beyond party lines, we should not be afraid to say it. You have a progressive spirit and you have done well for Enugu State. You are one of the best performing governors.
Plea for sustainability
“Please do not allow this airline go down the ways of Nigeria Airways. Run it professionally. Do not allow bureaucracy to kill Enugu Air. Be prompt in your departure, be prompt in your arrival. To the CEO of Enugu Air, run it professionally. Do not employ favouritism. Enugu people, if you want it to survive, support the airline. It has been made available. Enugu will be a bigger international hub now and we are going to approve regional operation from here to African States. Bring your letter tomorrow we will approve it,” he said.
Transport commissioner speaks
On the management and handling of the Enugu Air, Enugu State Commissioner for Transportation, Obi Ozor, assured that Enugu Air would live up to its dream.
Fidelity Bank CEO thumbs up for Enugu
The Managing Director of Fidelity Bank PLC, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, whose bank is part of the success story of the Enugu Air project, said that the harmonious partnership between Enugu State government and the bank contributed to the success of establishing Enugu Air.
XE Jet boss envisions bright future for Enugu Air
The CEO of XEJet, Emmanuel Ayuba, who is partnering Enugu Air, described Mbah as a visionary and courageous leader and assured their continued partnership to ensure that his vision for the state doesn’t dim.
The bird belongs to Ndi Enugu – Mbah
Governor Peter Mbah had earlier said that his vision for Enugu Air was among many other things to develop tourism and create jobs, adding that the establishment belongs to the people of the state and not the sole property of the state government.
He described the initiative as “a triumph of vision, a testament to Nigeria’s immense aviation potential and economic renaissance.”
He explained that Enugu Air would expand beyond the present routes from Enugu to Abuja and Lagos to other Nigerian cities and beyond.
“We are starting off with three Embraer aircraft, efficient elegant birds made for our terrain. Our routes begin with a powerful golden triangle, Enugu to Abuja to Lagos. From there, we stretch our wings to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and across various other cities. “But we are not stopping there. In the next phase, we will fly beyond Nigeria, into other African countries, China, Europe, UK, US, and other global business hubs,” Mbah said.
He said that Enugu Air was established to create jobs and career paths for the young people; a faster and more reliable access to markets, clients, and capital by business people; a simpler and more dignified access to home for the diaspora, and a ready gateway to collaboration and opportunity for investors interested in Enugu. Mbah however thanked President Bola Tinubu, the minister of aviation, Festus Keyamo, and various agencies under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the management of Fidelity Bank, among others, for their support in making sure the project is realised.
The dignitaries that graced the occasion cut across religious, traditional, political, the academia, market associations, media and business circles.
