Residents of Enugu State have hailed Governor Peter Mbah for the successful unveiling of the Enugu Air on Monday.

According to them, the launch of Enugu Air was a landmark moment, not just for the state but for the south-east region.

They bared their minds on Monday during the official unveiling of the airline at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

Reacting, the chairman of Igbo-Etiti Council Area, Eric Odo, said the launch represented a renewed hope and opportunity for the state.

Mr Odo said that the airline would help streamline travel, strengthen commerce, and offer businesses the connectivity they long deserved.

“I must commend our visionary and pragmatic governor for this audacious and bold achievement.

“As a public servant, I am very proud to be alive and to witness this wonderful milestone,” Mr Odo said.

The council chairman urged Enugu citizens to embrace Enugu Air: “Supporting our own as we elevate our state.”

“Together, we’re not just building infrastructures; we’re building a future reaching above and beyond our horizons,” he said.

Also, the chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu, said the Enugu Air would connect the state to the global market as well as attract more investors.

Mr Asadu revealed that Enugu was the first in the South-East and second in the country to launch a state-owned airline.

According to him, this gives the state a key player in the aviation sector.

In his remarks, Chibuike Onyekachi, the managing director of PowellHomes and Shelters, described the launch as a “bold and forward-thinking move in the transport sector.

According to him, the initiative would stimulate economic activity and boost investment across the region.

“The introduction of the Embraer E170 and E190 series into the state’s aviation space signals a new era for regional air connectivity.

“As a developer, I can foresee the new wave of infrastructure demand and opportunities this initiative will attract,” he said.

A trader at the popular Ogbete main market, Paschal Nweke, however, asked the government to ensure the airline was affordable for Enugu travellers.

He expressed optimism that the airline would help to end the monopoly and exploitation by the other airlines as well as create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state. 

(NAN)