Governor Peter Mbah has flagged off Enugu Air’s maiden international flight to Douala, marking a major expansion of the state-owned airline beyond Nigeria’s domestic aviation network.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has flagged off Enugu Air’s maiden international flight from Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to Douala, Cameroon, marking the airline’s first scheduled international service.
The inaugural flight on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, opens a direct air link between South-East Nigeria and Central Africa and forms part of Enugu Air’s expansion from a domestic carrier into a regional airline. The route is scheduled to operate twice weekly, on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Enugu, Mbah described the development as a major milestone in his administration’s plan to position Enugu as a destination for investment, business, tourism and living.
The governor said Enugu Air was conceived as part of a broader strategy to strengthen connectivity and support the state’s economic ambitions, rather than as an isolated aviation project.
“Months ago, right here, we watched Enugu take to the skies. In just barely six months after a rigorous regulatory process, Enugu Air obtained her Air Operator’s License,” Mbah said.
He noted that the airline had expanded rapidly since its launch, adding that the Enugu-Douala service represented the beginning of its international expansion.
“Today is Douala, but I am hoping tomorrow, we are not only going to be talking about the continent of Africa, we will be talking about Enugu to the world,” he said.
Mbah also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting aviation infrastructure and thanked the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, as well as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for their support to the airline and the aviation sector.
Enugu Air Chief Executive Officer, Captain Tolu Ita, described the inaugural international service as the beginning of a new phase for the airline and Enugu.
“This is a chapter in which Enugu is no longer simply where a journey begins or ends. Enugu is becoming a gateway,” Ita said.
She said the airline had first focused on building its domestic network before taking its first step beyond Nigeria with the Enugu-Douala route.
The airline currently connects Enugu with destinations including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Owerri, Asaba, Benin City and Warri, according to its current route information.
Ita said Enugu Air planned to continue developing its regional network across Africa while progressively opening access to wider international markets.
The Enugu-Douala service is scheduled to depart Enugu at 12:45 p.m. and arrive in Douala at 1:45 p.m., with the return flight scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and arrival in Enugu at 3:30 p.m. The airline has said the schedule is designed to facilitate connections for passengers travelling from Lagos and Abuja through Enugu.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, represented at the ceremony by Onyeka Udenze, described the inaugural international service as a step towards strengthening Nigeria’s connections across West and Central Africa.
She said FAAN remained committed to providing the infrastructure, safety standards and operational support required for sustainable air services.
A representative of the Director-General of the NCAA also said the direct Enugu-Douala connection could support trade, investment, tourism and movement of people while strengthening economic and social ties between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, described the route as an important development for Enugu’s trade and investment strategy.
He said direct air connectivity would reduce the need for traders, manufacturers and entrepreneurs in Enugu and the wider South-East to rely on longer transit routes when accessing markets in Central Africa.
The launch marks a further expansion of Enugu Air, which commenced commercial operations in July 2025 and received its own Air Operator Certificate from the NCAA in March 2026.
With the commencement of the Douala service, Enugu Air is now positioning Akanu Ibiam International Airport as a regional gateway while expanding its network beyond Nigeria. The airline’s website currently lists Douala as its first international route.
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