GOVERNOR PETER MBAH UNVEILS ENUGU AIR AS HE OUTLINES VISION FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB CREATION
BUSINESS - Posted on: 10th Jul. 2025 at 1:19AM
By Ifeoluwa Onigbanjo
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has officially launched Enugu Air, a state-backed airline initiative aimed at transforming the region’s transportation landscape and unlocking new economic opportunities.
Speaking during the airline’s inaugural flight on Monday at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Mbah outlined the strategic motivations behind the project. He said Enugu Air is not just a transportation venture, but a key component of a broader economic vision to position Enugu as a regional hub and attract investment, tourism, and job creation.
The airline begins operations with three Embraer aircraft, serving an initial “golden triangle” route — Enugu to Abuja to Lagos — with plans to expand to other Nigerian cities including Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, and Kano. Future international routes will include destinations in Africa, China, Europe, the UK, and the United States.
“For our diaspora, who deserve simpler, more dignified access to home. For global investors, who will now see Enugu not as a hidden gem, but as a ready gateway to collaboration and opportunity,” Mbah said during the launch.
He emphasized that Enugu Air is designed to serve multiple sectors, particularly the youth, who now have clearer career pathways in aviation, logistics, tourism, and hospitality.
“For too long, our graduates dreamed of an aviation career with no clear pathway. That era is over,” he stated.
Describing Enugu Air as an “economic enabler,” Mbah said the airline would drive tourism and trade while stimulating significant job creation. He noted that the broader transportation strategy will generate over 20,000 jobs through airport operations, ride-hailing services, BRT systems, and support industries.
“We are building an entire ecosystem — from bus drivers to technicians and logistics workers. No economy can grow if it cannot move,” he added.
Governor Mbah called the launch a “giant leap for Enugu State,” highlighting its significance as a public-private partnership operated by XEJet. He also linked the development to his administration’s goal of achieving a seven-fold GDP growth and drastically reducing poverty in the state.
“Transportation is the lifeblood of any thriving society. It is the artery through which the energy of commerce flows,” Mbah said. “When we say Enugu State is open for business, it is not a hollow platitude. Moments like this lend credence to that bold claim.”
Enugu Air is one of several initiatives under the state’s broader economic transformation agenda, aimed at positioning Enugu as a competitive, connected, and prosperous destination in Nigeria and beyond.
By Ifeoluwa OnigbanjoGovernor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has officially launched Enugu Air, a state-backed airline initiative aimed at transforming the region’s transportation landscape and unlocking new economic opportunities.
Speaking during the airline’s inaugural flight on Monday at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Mbah outlined the strategic motivations behind the project. He said Enugu Air is not just a transportation venture, but a key component of a broader economic vision to position Enugu as a regional hub and attract investment, tourism, and job creation.
The airline begins operations with three Embraer aircraft, serving an initial “golden triangle” route — Enugu to Abuja to Lagos — with plans to expand to other Nigerian cities including Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, and Kano. Future international routes will include destinations in Africa, China, Europe, the UK, and the United States.
“For our diaspora, who deserve simpler, more dignified access to home. For global investors, who will now see Enugu not as a hidden gem, but as a ready gateway to collaboration and opportunity,” Mbah said during the launch.
He emphasized that Enugu Air is designed to serve multiple sectors, particularly the youth, who now have clearer career pathways in aviation, logistics, tourism, and hospitality.
“For too long, our graduates dreamed of an aviation career with no clear pathway. That era is over,” he stated.
Describing Enugu Air as an “economic enabler,” Mbah said the airline would drive tourism and trade while stimulating significant job creation. He noted that the broader transportation strategy will generate over 20,000 jobs through airport operations, ride-hailing services, BRT systems, and support industries.
“We are building an entire ecosystem — from bus drivers to technicians and logistics workers. No economy can grow if it cannot move,” he added.
Governor Mbah called the launch a “giant leap for Enugu State,” highlighting its significance as a public-private partnership operated by XEJet. He also linked the development to his administration’s goal of achieving a seven-fold GDP growth and drastically reducing poverty in the state.
“Transportation is the lifeblood of any thriving society. It is the artery through which the energy of commerce flows,” Mbah said. “When we say Enugu State is open for business, it is not a hollow platitude. Moments like this lend credence to that bold claim.”
Enugu Air is one of several initiatives under the state’s broader economic transformation agenda, aimed at positioning Enugu as a competitive, connected, and prosperous destination in Nigeria and beyond.
Posted by: Emdee David
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