FG hands over Akanu Int’l Ibiam Enugu Airport to Concessionaires …As Cargo Flights to China near take-off

Federal Government has officially handed over the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, to Aero Alliance Limited under a public-private partnership arrangement,.

The hand over marks the culmination of a long-awaited concession process expected to transform the airport into a major aviation, logistics and commercial hub for the South-East.
The handover, completed on Thursday with the execution of handover certificates, asset registers and other relevant documents,at the departure hall axis of the Akanu Ibiam international airport empowers Aero Alliance to finance, rehabilitate, expand, operate and manage the airport in line with international standards of safety, efficiency and passenger service.

Keyemo (SAN)

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the development as a major milestone, attributing its success to the support of President Bola Tinubu and the vision of Governor Peter Mbah.
Keyamo revealed that while previous attempts to concession airports over the last two decades failed to attract investors to Enugu and Port Harcourt, the situation has now changed dramatically.
“For 20 years, various governments have tried to concession some of our airports because of the belief that the private sector would run them more professionally and in a more commercially driven way,” he said.
According to the minister, investors previously focused on airports in Lagos, Abuja and Kano, leaving Enugu and Port Harcourt without bidders. However, he noted that under the Tinubu administration, investors have embraced the latter airports.
“Guess what? We have no bidder presently for Lagos, Abuja and Kano. But Enugu and Port Harcourt are gone,” he stated.
Keyamo credited Governor Mbah for initiating discussions with President Tinubu shortly after assuming office and presenting a clear vision for transforming Enugu into an aviation and investment hub

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“Dr. Peter Mbah came with a plan for Enugu. He did not come and begin to assess the situation. He is a governor who came into office with a plan. Today, we are glad that we have found in him the perfect partnership we need between the federal and state governments,” he added.
The minister expressed confidence in Aero Alliance’s ability to manage the facility professionally, stressing that the concession would create employment opportunities rather than lead to job losses.
Also speaking, Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Jobson Ewalefor, described the concession as historic and commended Governor Mbah for his persistence in driving the project.

Ewalefor

Ewalefor said the governor’s reputation and credibility helped attract private capital to the airport project.
“That we are here today is because of the reputation of the governor. His reputation attracted the capital. Governor Peter Mbah is a miraculous governor. He has been coming to Abuja all the time for this. You can see when someone is prepared. You can see that he is very strategic and methodical in what he is doing,” he said.
He further disclosed that an agreement linking Enugu with Guangzhou, China, would soon boost cargo traffic through the airport.
“The Enugu Air and an agreement being signed from Guangzhou to Enugu are enough traffic to create viability,” he noted, indicating that direct cargo flights between Enugu and Guangzhou could commence within the next few months.

Gov Mbah
In his remarks, Governor Mbah described the concession as a landmark achievement that would unlock vast economic opportunities for the South-East region.
He said businesses across the region had long struggled with logistics challenges that increased costs, delayed deliveries and undermined competitiveness.
“It opens a new chapter of economic possibilities because businesses across our region have for long grappled with logistics constraints that increased costs, lengthened delivery timelines and limited competitiveness,” the governor said.
Mbah expressed optimism that the airport would evolve into a world-class gateway connecting the South-East to global markets and accelerating regional prosperity.
“We hope that future generations will look back to this day as the moment when Akanu Ibiam International Airport began its transformation into a truly world-class gateway serving the South East, connecting Nigeria to the world and opening new pathways to prosperity for millions of our people,” he stated.
The governor also urged investors to take advantage of emerging opportunities in Enugu State, while thanking Aero Alliance for believing in the airport’s potential.
Managing Director of Aero Alliance, Saleem Hussain, assured stakeholders that the consortium would deploy its more than three decades of aviation experience to reposition the airport.
He said the company would focus on enhancing connectivity, cargo and logistics operations, passenger experience, commercial development, technology and operational excellence.
“Our goal is to transform Akanu Ibiam International Airport into one of Africa’s leading aviation, logistics and commercial hubs,” Hussain said.
Other stakeholders at the ceremony, including the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, represented by Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire; Enugu State Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Obi Ozor; and FAAN Regional General Manager, Hillary Umunna, pledged support for the successful implementation of the concession for the benefit of the South-East and Nigeria at large.