Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State has announced the official launch of *Enugu Air*, a state-owned airline expected to boost the economy, create jobs, and connect the South-East to key global destinations.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Enugu on Monday, Governor Mbah revealed that the airline will begin domestic flights with three Embraer aircraft, operating routes from Enugu to Abuja and Lagos. It will then expand to other cities such as Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, and Kano.
“In the next phase, we will fly beyond Nigeria into other African countries, China, Europe, the UK, the US, and other global business hubs,” Mbah said.
He emphasized that the new airline is not just a transport initiative, but part of a larger economic plan to position Enugu as a regional hub for South-East Nigeria. According to the governor, the airline will support tourism, hospitality, and commerce, while also offering a path for young graduates to build careers in aviation.
“Enugu is home to one of Nigeria’s largest clusters of tertiary institutions. For too long, our graduates dreamed of an aviation career with no clear pathway. That era is over,” he said.
Mbah highlighted the broader transportation strategy being rolled out by the state, which includes Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), 2,000 hybrid taxis, and expanded airport operations. He said the combined effort could create over 20,000 jobs.
The airline will be operated by XEJet Airlines, a Nigerian-owned aviation company with a track record of reliable and sustainable operations. Mbah also thanked Fidelity Bank Plc for its support in financing the project.
“Enugu Air is a key part of our vision to grow the state’s GDP seven times over and reduce poverty significantly,” he added.