Enugu State-owned airline, Enugu Air, made its maiden flight to Benin City in Edo State, expanding its operations into the midwestern part of Nigeria.
The airline, which is a product of a partnership between the Enugu Government and Xejet Limited, landed its first aircraft in Benin City today, Monday, 5th 2025.
The development expands the Enugu Air destination route to eight destinations. The airline currently commutes to Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Owerri, Kano and Akure.
The Enugu airline, which started operations last year with three Embraer Regional Jets, currently operates six jets, a 100% increase since launch. Enugu Air joins other thriving state-owned airlines, such as Ibom Air and Calair, in navigating the murky waters of Nigerian aviation.
Earlier on, Mr Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline by market share, revealed the grim realities of the Aviation business in Nigeria. He started by condemning the criticisms of Nigerians over the hike in airfares during the yuletide.
He explained that most flights heading to the eastern part of the country will have to return to base empty, thereby consuming twice as much aviation fuel for a single trip.
He added that Nigerians pay the cheapest air tickets in the world and that the aviation business in Nigeria is not as lucrative as perceived.
Speaking on Arise Tv, Onyema warned that the new Tax laws might disrupt the aviation sector, leading to the folding of various airlines. He called on the government to pursue more people-friendly policies that help businesses flourish in the country.
The Nigerian aviation sector has failed to front a national carrier despite various trials. Private and state-owned airlines currently hold sway over foreign airlines operating in the Nigerian aviation space.
