Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has revealed that Enugu Air will expand its fleet with six additional aircraft before the end of 2025.
Mbah made the announcement on Thursday at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) “Meet The Governor Series” in Lagos, according to a statement released by his spokesperson on X.
The governor explained that the expansion is part of the state’s broader aviation growth strategy, aimed at boosting connectivity, enhancing tourism, and attracting more investment into Enugu.
As part of this plan, the state partnered with a private investor to concession Akanu Ibiam International Airport, which is currently undergoing upgrades. The airport’s international wing and cargo terminal are expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2026.
“Our plan is to bring in three million visitors. So, we worked with an investor to get the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport. Hopefully, the international wing of the airport will be operational by the first quarter of 2026. We are also investing in building the cargo terminal. We are looking at bringing in an additional six aircraft for Enugu Air for the Christmas season. We are obviously going to expand very quickly because we have surpassed our projections within one month of operation,” Mbah stated.
He further noted that Enugu Air’s growth has exceeded expectations since it commenced operations on July 7, 2025, with two aircraft already delivered and a third on the way at the time of launch.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) granted Enugu Air interim authorization to operate domestic flights in partnership with XEJet, pending the completion of its Air Operator Certificate (AOC). This arrangement allows Enugu Air to use XEJet’s operational framework, including the Embraer E170 in its fleet.
Governor Mbah added that the aviation expansion is being supported by broader state initiatives, including improved security—reportedly reducing crime by over 80%—and investments in infrastructure.
He also highlighted ongoing projects such as coal-to-power initiatives targeting 1,000 megawatts of sustainable electricity, major tourism facilities like the Enugu International Conference Centre, which recently hosted 20,000 participants for the Nigerian Bar Association conference, as well as a five-star hotel and the Cross of Hope religious landmark nearing completion.
With six new aircraft set to join its fleet by year’s end, Enugu Air is positioning itself as a key driver of the state’s ambition to become a leading hub for business and tourism in Nigeria.
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