The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has defended the Federal Government’s decision to concession the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, citing the need for private sector-driven development and efficiency.
Keyamo made this known during the official inauguration of Enugu Air, a new state-owned commercial airline established by the administration of Governor Peter Mbah. The airline takes off with three Embraer aircraft, and initial operations will cover the Abuja-Lagos-Enugu triangle before expanding to other local and international routes.
Speaking at the ceremony, Keyamo clarified that the airport concession was fully transparent and approved by relevant federal authorities, including the President and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). He emphasized that the decision was driven by the need to attract sustainable private sector investment into the aviation sector.
“The Federal Government is operating the airport at a loss. The private sector has the drive we lack, and Governor Mbah understood this early. He was relentless—visiting Abuja almost weekly to push for the transformation of Enugu Airport and the birth of Enugu Air,” Keyamo said.
He praised the partnership with XEJet, a 100% Nigerian-owned airline also operating the national carrier for Sierra Leone. “That’s what the Renewed Hope Agenda is all about,” he noted.
Despite belonging to opposing political parties, the minister commended Governor Mbah’s achievements, stating that his performance in just two years has made him a formidable political force.
“Governor Mbah, we are worried about how to defeat you in 2027. You have shown progressive leadership and are one of the best-performing governors,” he said.
On his part, Governor Peter Mbah described the launch of Enugu Air as a “triumph of vision and a bold step toward turning Enugu into a major aviation hub.”
He announced that the airline would soon expand to other cities such as Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, and Kano, with international operations planned for Africa, Europe, China, the UK, and the US.
“Our goal is to create jobs, open up access to markets, and provide a dignified travel experience for our people and the diaspora,” Mbah said.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu, Minister Keyamo, the Ministry of Aviation, Fidelity Bank, and other stakeholders for their unwavering support in making the project a reality.
The launch event was attended by a large crowd and dignitaries including the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; Enugu State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozor; Fidelity Bank Managing Director, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe; and CEO of XEJet, Engr. Ayuba Emmanuel, who lauded the governor’s visionary leadership.
With Enugu Air ready for takeoff and a bold new phase for Akanu Ibiam International Airport underway, the Mbah administration is clearly charting a new course for the state’s aviation and economic future.
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