Enugu State-owned airline, Enugu Air, announced it now flies to the southeastern city of Owerri in Imo State.
The announcement comes a few months after the official launch of the state-owned airline commissioned by the Enugu state governor, Peter Mbah, and the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.
The new flight route adds to the existing commercial routes plied by Enugu Air under the private management of Xejets, a sub-continental aviation company. Travellers from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, can now connect directly to the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri, Imo State.
Other Domestic routes plied by the airline include Enugu to Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. The budding airline has plans to expand to international routes, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and China, with these routes in the works.
Enugu Air arrives at a time when local aviation is undergoing a facelift in the nation, with the success of Ibom Air floated by the Akwa Ibom government. Cally Air, a flagship airline company owned by the government of Cross River State, is in its initial stage.
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The Nigerian aviation space has been dominated by private players following brief and unsuccessful stints by publicly owned airlines. Nigeria has, for many years, floated the idea of having a national carrier with unsuccessful attempts during the Muhammadu Buhari administration and previous governments.
Enugu Air operates through a seamless partnership between the Enugu government and Xejet, a private aviation entity. Enugu State Government invested between $28 million and $40 million for the aircraft, spares, and working capital.
XeJet’s role in the partnership is to maintain operational efficiency. The duo is working towards a revenue projection of $39.4 million in the first year and a break-even point expected within four years.
