Enugu air goes international as Gov Mbah launches maiden flight to Douala

Governor of Enugu state , Dr Peter Mbah on Wednesday, September 23,2026 launched the maiden Enugu Air flight to Douala, Cameroon, connecting Enugu to Central Africa

Speaking at the event held at the Akanu Ibiam International airport,Enugu, Governor Mbah described the feat as a major step in his administration’s strategy to positioning Enugu as a global destination for investment, business, tourism and living, adding that the airline is designed to connect the state with markets and people across Africa and beyond.The Governo added that the development was a fulfilment of his administration’s commitment to transform Enugu through connectivity and critical infrastructure.

He recalled ” 14 months ago, Enugu Air took to the skies amid excitement and expectations over how far the dream would go”, stressing that the airline had since surpassed expectations.
“Today, 14 months after, we can see that dream flying beyond our expectations. Fourteen months after, Enugu Air is one of the fastest-growing airlines in Nigeria,” Mbah said.

The governor noted that the airline obtained its Air Operator Certificate after about six months of a rigorous regulatory process, describing the feat as “not a mean feat” and “not an easy feat to accomplish.”

Gov Mbah says connectivity to Douala is connectivity to the market, connectivity to the world.

According to him, Enugu Air was not conceived merely to operate an airline or gain political acclaim, but as part of a master plan to make Enugu State the premier destination for investment, living, business and tourism.

Mbah said his administration’s campaign promises, including growing the economy exponentially, eradicating poverty and making Enugu the number one destination, were made with a clear understanding of the state’s historic economic importance.

He explained that the ambition to bring three million people to Enugu could not be achieved merely by creating an enabling environment, stressing that connectivity to markets and the wider world was essential.
“Connectivity to Douala is connectivity to the airport, connectivity to markets, connectivity to the world. And what you are seeing here today is performance,” he said.

Mbah challenged the people of the state and stakeholders to judge his administration by its commitments and the projects it had delivered.
He stressed that Enugu Air was “not just building or having another airline,” but a strategic instrument to put Enugu on the global map.
He said the administration’s broader vision was to establish a multimodal transportation system that would connect Enugu by road, rail and air.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry , Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, described the maiden flight to Douala as a landmark achievement that goes beyond aviation.

He said the direct aerial connection between Enugu and Douala, Cameroon’s commercial capital, would bridge markets, shorten supply chains and unlock opportunities for cross-border commerce between West and Central Africa.
He added that traders, manufacturers and entrepreneurs in Enugu and the wider region had for decades navigated complex transit routes to access Central African markets, stressing that the new route would help dismantle the barrier.

Speaking, the Chairman of Enugu Air, Captain Tolu Ita, described the Douala route launch as a new chapter for Enugu and Nigeria, saying the state was increasingly becoming a gateway for opportunities, businesses and ideas.

According to her, the airline’s vision was to build connectivity that would link people and connect the South-East with Central Africa. She said Enugu Air recognises its responsibility to passengers and would continue to operate as a proudly Nigerian airline.

In her goodwill message, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, represented by the Operations Manager, FAAN Enugu, Onyeka Udenze, described the new route as a strong statement of Nigeria’s growing capacity to connect people and businesses across West and Central Africa.

She said the development positioned Akanu Ibiam International Airport as a regional hub, noting that passengers from Lagos, Abuja and other Nigerian cities could connect to international destinations through Enugu.
She assured FAAN’s committment to providing the infrastructure, safety standards and operational support required to sustain international air services from the airport.

In his message, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, who was represented by the Director of Air Transport Regulations, Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, said the new route would strengthen air connectivity between Nigeria and Cameroon.
He noted that Enugu and Douala were important economic centres and that direct connectivity between the two cities would create opportunities for increased trade, investment, tourism and movement of people.

He stressed that sustainable aviation growth must remain anchored on safety, security, regulatory compliance and operational reliability, urging Enugu Air to maintain operational discipline, professionalism and quality service in the operation of the international route.

Speaking with newsmen, the Chairman of Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, ESIRS, Hon. Ekene Nnamani, described the development as a “very significant and important journey” in the life of the state’s transformation.
He said Governor Mbah had promised that Enugu Air would become a point of connection for West Africa and Africa, adding that the maiden international flight represented the beginning of that journey.

“Today is that significant day that Enugu is going to the world map at a very large scale. It is a launch of Enugu Air international flight to Cameroon for the first time and from there we will begin to touch all parts of Africa and the world at large,” he said.
He commended the people of Enugu State for their support for the governor, noting that with the new route, the state’s revenue would continue to rise.

Nnamani explained that Cameroon was chosen for the maiden international route because Nigeria and Cameroon shared historical and socio-economic ties.
He added that many Igbo people reside and do business in Cameroon, explaining that the direct flight would provide them and other travellers with a convenient means of transportation, particularly during the Christmas season.

Also speaking with Newsmen, the Enugu State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Martins Chukwunwike, described the development as a major milestone that would connect Enugu to the world, beginning with Cameroon.
Chukwunwike said Enugu had “revolutionised” flight operations in Nigeria with the flag-off of the international service, adding that the development would also boost the state’s revenue as international passengers and businesses increasingly patronise the route.
He noted that the state would generate additional revenue from the international operations, including foreign exchange earnings.

On his part, the Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Pastor Beloved Dan-Anike, commended Governor Mbah for taking what he described as a bold step in the development of the aviation industry in the state.. He said the new route has positioned Enugu East Local Government Area asa gateway to the world.