The Enugu State Government has announced that its state-owned airline, Enugu Air, will officially commence commercial operations on Monday, July 7, 2025.
The confirmation came on Wednesday via a post by Dan Nwomeh, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Peter Mbah, through his official X (formerly Twitter) account. “Enugu Air set to commence operations with inaugural commercial flight on Monday,” Nwomeh wrote.
While the announcement confirmed the start date, it did not include specific details regarding flight schedules, destinations, or booking information. As of Wednesday, a search revealed that Enugu Air has yet to launch an official website or booking portal, raising questions about the airline’s operational readiness just days before its inaugural flight.
This latest announcement follows an earlier declaration in May when the state government initially projected that Enugu Air would launch that same month—a deadline that ultimately passed without commencement. At the time, the state confirmed that it had secured three aircraft for the airline. Two had already arrived in Enugu, while a third was expected by the end of May, according to the state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozor.
The creation of Enugu Air is part of a growing trend among Nigerian subnational governments aiming to develop state-owned airlines as a means to enhance regional connectivity and economic development.
Akwa Ibom State was the first to implement such a plan with the successful launch of Ibom Air in 2019. The airline now serves several major Nigerian cities, including Lagos and Abuja, and is widely seen as a model of subnational aviation success.
Inspired by Ibom Air, Cross River State followed suit with the launch of Cally Air in 2021, a joint venture with Dana Group under a public-private partnership. The airline began with one aircraft, later adding a second, and has plans to expand its fleet further.
In a similar move earlier this year, the Ebonyi State Government announced its intention to establish a state-owned airline modeled after Ibom Air. The state revealed plans to acquire four aircraft, with private investors expected to contribute an additional three. However, no further updates have been released on the initiative.
With Enugu Air set to take to the skies on July 7, Enugu State is poised to become the latest in a growing list of Nigerian states pursuing aviation as a tool for economic growth and regional integration.
