“Not Just an Airline – It’s a Movement”: Gov Mbah Launches Enugu Air to Unlock Jobs, Investments, and Global Access
Enugu State has officially taken flight. On Monday, Governor Peter Mbah launched Enugu Air, a new state-backed airline designed to revolutionize transportation, drive economic growth, and open up new career paths for young people in the region. Speaking during the airline’s inaugural flight at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Mbah declared that Enugu Air is more than a transport initiative—it’s a bold economic strategy. This isn’t just about planes and runways. This is about jobs, opportunity, and putting Enugu on the global map, the governor said.
Why Enugu Air Was Born
The airline kicks off operations with three Embraer aircraft, flying a golden triangle route: Enugu → Abuja → Lagos. Future destinations include Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and later, international routes across Africa, Europe, China, the UK, and the US.
In Governor Mbah’s words, the purpose of Enugu Air is to:
Create visible career paths in aviation, logistics, tourism, and hospitality for young people.
Support local businesses with faster, more reliable access to clients, markets, and capital.
Reconnect the diaspora with easier and more dignified access to home.
Attract global investors by transforming Enugu from a “hidden gem” into a commercial gateway.
For Enugu sons and daughters abroad, it’s a long-awaited pathway back home. For global investors, it’s a runway to opportunity,” Mbah stated.
A New Economic Engine
Governor Mbah described Enugu Air as part of a broader transportation revolution already underway in the state. The initiative is tied to his administration’s goal of achieving 7-fold GDP growth and drastically reducing poverty.
He revealed that the airline is expected to help attract over 3 million visitors annually, while creating over 20,000 jobs across sectors like BRT, taxi services, ride-hailing, logistics, and airport operations.
Trade and growth depend on strong roads, vibrant airways, and active seaports. Here in Enugu, we’re not just talking—we’re building,” Mbah declared.
A Regional Aviation Hub in the Making
Transportation—by road, air, and sea—is the engine that drives any economy forward. Until now, there’s been no clear pathway.
“That era is over,” Mbah affirmed. “Our aviation strategy is key to unlocking job creation, boosting tourism, and positioning Enugu as the heartbeat of regional development.”
What’s Next for Enugu Air?
Operated in partnership with XEJet, Enugu Air is positioned as a public-private model for regional transformation. With future international routes already in planning, the airline could soon connect Enugu directly to global cities and business hubs.
“This is not a flight of fancy. It’s a strategic move that connects the dots on our larger development canvas,” the governor said.
Final Word
From infrastructure to opportunity, Enugu Air represents Governor Mbah’s commitment to turning bold visions into action.
We’re not just saying Enugu is open for business — we’re backing it with action. Today, we took that promise into the skies,” he concluded.