Mbah Flags Off Enugu Air’s Maiden International Flight to Douala…Says airline part of plan to make Enugu a major aviation hub

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has flagged off the maiden international flight of Enugu Air from Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to Douala, Cameroon.
Mbah, who described the development as a major milestone, said the new international route was part of his administration’s broader plan to position Enugu as a major aviation hub and a preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living.
Speaking at a ceremony at the airport on Wednesday, the governor commended the leadership of Enugu Air for the airline’s rapid growth, saying its emergence was part of efforts to connect different aspects of the state’s economic development plan.
“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.
“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 stated.
Mbah described Enugu Air as a campaign promise kept, adding that the Enugu-Douala route marked the beginning of plans for more international connections.
“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 thanked President Bola Tinubu “for consistently demonstrating his commitment to aviation infrastructure and for the support he is also giving to the states to enable us to create businesses like Enugu Air,” while also commending the Minister of Aviation and Aerodrome Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, as well as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
He said the agencies’ support had contributed to the growth of Enugu Air and efforts to improve Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Speaking at the event, Enugu Air Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Tolu Ita, described the international operation as a new chapter for the airline and Enugu State.
“This is a chapter in which Enugu is no longer simply where a journey begins or ends. Enugu is becoming a gateway.
“Today, much bigger than an aircraft will be moving across our skies. Opportunity will be moving. Business will be moving. People will be moving. Ideas will be moving. And Enugu will be moving with them. This is what makes today so significant.
“Enugu Air was never built with the vision to simply put aircraft in the sky. The vision was to build an airline that connects people, connects markets and connects possibilities.
“We began by strengthening our 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.
“Our ambition is to continue building a stronger regional network across Africa, while progressively opening the door to wider international markets,” she said.
Ita reaffirmed Enugu Air’s commitment to maintaining high operational and ethical standards while meeting its responsibilities to aviation authorities, passengers and other stakeholders.
In her goodwill message, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, described Enugu Air’s inaugural international flight as “a strong statement of Nigeria’s growing capacity to connect7 people and businesses across West and Central Africa.”
Represented by Mrs. Onyeka Udenze, the FAAN chief executive said, “Akanu Ibiam International Airport now takes a firm step as a regional hub.”
She congratulated Enugu Air on its rapid growth within 14 months and assured that FAAN remained committed to providing the infrastructure, safety standards and support required for such operations.
The Director-General of NCAA, represented by the Director of Air Transport Regulations, Mrs. Olayinka Babaoye-Iruobe, said the direct connection between Enugu and Douala would create opportunities for increased trade, investment, tourism and movement of people, 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 step in the state’s trade, investment and economic integration strategy.
“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,” he said.
The maiden flight departed Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, in the afternoon and arrived safely at Douala International Airport, where it was received by Cameroonian authorities in a brief ceremony.
The aircraft later returned to Enugu, marking Enugu Air’s first international flight operation and opening a new air link between southeastern Nigeria and Central Africa.