History was made in Anambra as the Anambra State International Passenger and Cargo Airport, Umueri, on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, began commercial flight operations with Embrer ERJ, a 50-passenger capacity aircraft of Air Peace airlines from Lagos which landed at exactly 2:45pm and flight from Anambra to Abuja, departing at 3:30pm.
Receiving the first passengers that landed at the airport, the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano who was represented by the state Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, described the airport as a dream come true for ndi Anambra.
Dr. Ibezim said that Obiano has written his name in gold and called on ndi Anambra to take the advantage of the opportunities which the airport will bring.
The Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Maduka Okeke who was among the first passengers that landed at the airport, thanked God inspiring Governor Obiano to build the airport as the airport will further expose Anambra State to the world map and reduce unemployment.
Speaking to the I-Witness Media, the former Minister of Health and one of the founding BoT members of APGA, Dr. Tim Menakaya who was among the passengers that left the airport for Abuja, said that the airport has eased him the stress of travelling to either Enugu or Asaba to catch his flight. He thanked Gov. Obiano for building the airport which he said will open up more economic opportunities to the state.
The Honourable Commissioner for Works and the chairman of the airport delivery team, Engr. Marcel Ifejiofor, thanked the Governor for giving him the opportunity to deliver the airport.
Dr. Ifejiofor said that the days of Ndi Anambra traveling to either Enugu, Owerri or Asaba to catch their flights were over noting that passengers from anywhere in the state would connect the airport within minutes.
