The Enugu State Government has announced that its state-owned carrier, Enugu Air, will commence commercial operations on Monday, July 7, 2025.This was disclosed by Dan Nwomeh, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Peter Mbah, via his official X account on Wednesday. “Enugu Air set to commence operations with inaugural commercial flight on Monday,” Nwomeh wrote.
However, the post did not include details about destinations, flight schedules, or how to book tickets. A check on Wednesday revealed that no official website or booking platform had been made available, raising concerns over the airline’s operational readiness ahead of the announced launch date.
The announcement comes after a previous declaration in May by the state government that Enugu Air would begin operations that same month—a timeline that was ultimately not met. At the time, authorities stated that three aircraft had been acquired, with two already delivered and a third expected by the end of May.In recent years, several Nigerian subnational governments have ventured into aviation through state-owned airlines as part of broader economic development and transport strategies.
Akwa Ibom pioneered this effort with the launch of Ibom Air in July 2019. Now in its sixth year, the airline operates routes to Lagos, Abuja, and other Nigerian cities.Cross River State followed in 2021 with the launch of Cally Air, established as a joint venture between the state and Dana Group. The fleet currently consists of two aircraft, including a Boeing 737 (5N-BYR) added in 2023, and the state has expressed plans to acquire more.
Enugu State has now joined the list with the planned takeoff of Enugu Air. As of May, the state confirmed the availability of three aircraft, according to Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozor.Ebonyi State has also signaled interest in launching a state-run airline. In early 2024, its Commissioner for Aviation, Dr. Ngozi Obichukwu, announced plans to procure four aircraft and bring in private investors for three additional planes. No significant update has been provided since that announcement. As July 7 approaches, Enugu Air’s ability to meet its publicized launch target will likely be closely watched, especially in light of earlier delays and the absence of operational transparency thus far.
Source : https://nairametrics.com/
