By ALEX ENEBELI

Enugu Air, on Wednesday, launched its maiden international flight from Enugu to Douala, Cameroon, opening a new air route between Southeast Nigeria and Central Africa.

The inaugural flight took off from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and stakeholders described the development as a boost to trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and Cameroon.

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State said the launch was evidence that the vision behind Enugu Air was going beyond expectations.

He described the airline as part of the state’s strategy to connect Enugu with markets and opportunities across the world.

Mbah said the airline was not established merely as a political achievement but part of a broader plan to make Enugu a major destination for investment, business, tourism and living.

He said the connection between Enugu and Douala was about more than air travel, as it would connect opportunities and markets, while strengthening Enugu’s position as a gateway to the world.

The governor said Enugu Air had become one of the fastest-growing airlines in Nigeria, adding that the State Government would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving connectivity and attracting more people and businesses to the state.

The Managing Director of Enugu Air, Capt. Tolu Ita, said the inaugural flight marked a new chapter for the airline, Enugu State and Nigeria.

Ita said the airline had initially strengthened its domestic network by connecting Enugu with other cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Owerri, Asaba, Benin and Osubi – Warri airport before taking the first major step beyond Nigeria.

According to her, the Enugu-Douala route will move more than aircraft across the skies but also facilitate the movement of businesses, people, ideas and opportunities between Nigeria and Cameroon.

She said Enugu Air’s mission is to build stronger regional networks across Africa, while progressively opening access to wider international markets.

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, represented by the Operations Manager, FAAN Enugu, Mrs Onyeka Udenze, described the new route as a strong statement of Nigeria’s growing capacity to connect people and businesses across West and Central Africa.

Kuku said the development positioned Akanu Ibiam International Airport as a regional hub, adding that passengers from Lagos, Abuja and other Nigerian cities could connect through Enugu.

She gave assurance that FAAN remained committed to providing infrastructure, safety standards and support needed to sustain international air services.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo, represented by the Director of Air Transport Regulations, Mrs Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, said the new route would strengthen air connectivity between Nigeria and Cameroon.

Najomo said Enugu and Douala were important economic centres and that direct connectivity between them would create opportunities for increased trade, investment, tourism and movement of people.

He said the route aligned with the broader objective of strengthening intra-African connectivity and economic integration.

The NCAA boss, however, said that sustainable aviation growth must remain anchored on safety, security, regulatory compliance and operational reliability.

He urged Enugu Air to maintain operational discipline, professionalism and service quality in the operation of the international route.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Enugu Air commenced commercial operations on July 7, 2025, from Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. (NAN)