Enugu State has joined the exclusive club of Nigerian states running their own commercial airlines, following the official launch of Enugu Air on Monday. The new carrier becomes another state-backed aviation venture in the country, after similar initiatives in Imo, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states.
The airline’s inaugural flight — a symbolic journey from Lagos — landed at the newly upgraded international wing of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, marking what Governor Peter Mbah described as a historic moment.
Piloted by Enugu-born Captain Kelechi Ossai, the aircraft is one of three Embraer jets that make up the airline’s initial fleet.
Governor Mbah emphasized that the project is fully owned by the Enugu State government and is meant to serve students, traders, investors, and everyday travelers. He described it as a key part of his administration’s broader economic transformation agenda, aimed at turning Enugu into a premier destination for investment, tourism, and quality living.
“Enugu Air is a triumph of vision, a testament to Nigeria’s immense aviation potential and economic renaissance. It was established to create jobs and career paths for our young people; faster and more reliable access to markets, clients, and capital for businesspeople; simpler and more dignified access to home for the diaspora; and a ready gateway to collaboration and opportunity for investors interested in Enugu,” the governor said.
The launch ceremony drew top dignitaries, including Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, who pledged federal support for the initiative. He revealed that approvals for regional routes were underway and defended the federal government’s controversial decision to concession the Akanu Ibiam Airport, calling it a necessary reform.
Governor Mbah said Enugu Air would initially operate a triangular route linking Enugu, Abuja, and Lagos, with plans to extend to other major cities including Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, and Kano, before eventually branching into international destinations.
“This airline is a gift to the people of Enugu,” Mbah declared. “It is built to drive commerce, mobility, and investment. It reflects our administration’s vision of a thriving, connected, and globally competitive state.”
The airline is launching at a time when Nigeria’s aviation industry is seeing increased demand but also faces recurring challenges around safety, regulation, and operational sustainability.
FIJ Investigation Reveals Operational Gap
Despite the high-profile unveiling, a report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) uncovered that Enugu Air currently lacks independent infrastructure for bookings or operational autonomy. When potential customers attempt to book a flight, they are redirected to the website of XEJet, a Lagos-based premium-class airline. A prompt on the site reads: “This flight is operated by XEJet and you would be redirected to the XEJet website to complete your booking.”
This has raised concerns that Enugu Air may, for now, be a rebranded partnership, rather than an operational airline with its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) — a regulatory requirement for full-fledged flight operations.
Echoes of Nigeria Air
The situation has drawn unfavorable comparisons to the now-infamous Nigeria Air, a national carrier that was dramatically unveiled by the federal government in 2023. Then Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika paraded an aircraft in national colours and held a lavish unveiling ceremony—only for it to be revealed later that the plane was borrowed from Ethiopian Airlines for the event.
The airline lacked an operational license and had no real structure to begin flights. After public outrage and a barrage of legal and regulatory issues, Nigeria Air never took off, becoming one of the most ridiculed aviation projects in the country’s history.
A Familiar Playbook: Imo and Cross River’s Precedents
Enugu Air’s current arrangement draws parallels to previous state-run airline experiments that failed to take off sustainably.
In 2017, Imo State’s former governor Rochas Okorocha launched Imo Air, claiming the state had acquired five aircraft and was partnering with Dana Air to run them for 10 years, since the state lacked a license. The airline’s operations quietly faded within a year, with no significant follow-up from the government.
Similarly, in July 2021, former Cross River governor Ben Ayade launched Cally Air, operating through Aero Contractors. While Ayade said the airline was fully owned by the state with no loans taken, there were never clear operational guidelines or financial disclosures. Cally Air quickly faded from the aviation radar, its planes reportedly absorbed into Aero’s broader operations.
Enthusiasm Meets Skepticism
Although Governor Mbah insists Enugu Air is built for long-term value, Nigerians are skeptical. Some note that reliance on existing operators, and a lack of independent booking systems are red flags that have plagued similar ventures in the past.
“In 2025, a state govt. in Nigeria launches a 3rd party airline where the state acts as an affiliate marketer, then goes around to throw a ceremony and party at the airport for the same affiliate marketing project … indeed “Europe Underdeveloped Africa,” Chris Ani, a social media user, posted.
Others also question whether the state has provided enough transparency around the financial and legal arrangements with XEJet — including how much public funds have been committed, whether the aircraft are leased or state-owned, and the duration and terms of the partnership.
Nevertheless, Enugu’s move underscores a growing interest by subnational governments in air transportation as a tool for economic development — particularly in regions underserved by Nigeria’s limited airline options. This is as experts call on the federal and state governments to focus on rail transport, providing an affordable alternative to road transportation.
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