Enugu Gets First International Flight Today

History will be made today as the first international commercial
passenger flight will berth at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport,
Enugu.
President Goodluck Jonathan had recently formally opened the
remodeled airport and assured the people of the south-east zone that
international flights would commence from Enugu.
Today’s historic flight will be made to Enugu by Ethiopian Airlines
which will now be the first international carrier to operate from the
Enugu Airport. It will also airlift its first passengers from the Coal City to
Addis Ababa today.
Though, a prominent businessman from Anambra State, Prince Arthur
Eze had last week Tuesday equally made a historic landing at the
airport all the way from Senegal with his private jet, residents of Enugu
and other adjourning states are in high spirit to welcome the passenger
flight.
Already, the Enugu State Government has assured that adequate
preparations have been made to ensure that the event described as a
significant milestone in the economic life of the state and the entire
south east, was successfully conducted.
Governor Sullivan Chime and his colleagues from the other states in the
region as well as many important dignitaries from within and outside
the country will be on hand to receive the epoch flight. As expected, an
atmosphere of excitement and jubilation now pervades Enugu and
other states in the south east region as residents eagerly await the
arrival of the maiden international flight.
The Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah who worked tirelessly to ensure
that the clamour of the people of the zone was realised noted that
businessmen and other travellers from Enugu, Aba, Abakaliki, Onitsha,
Owerri, Umuahia and as far as Asaba and Benin will be saved the
stress of travelling to Lagos or Abuja to catch international flight.
On the viability of the Enugu Airport, the Managing Director of the
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, George Uriesi said, “I know a lot of
passengers from Nigeria are from the South East region. They will now
have the opportunity to travel directly from Enugu to wherever and
back to Enugu without having to go somewhere else. Some airlines
have indicated interest. Based on their numbers they know there is
business here.”
ThisDay checks however showed that though the airport had been
formally opened, there are still some major facilities that are lacking at
the airport.
The airport at the moment, according to sources has no night landing
facility which would ultimately affect airlines that may want to operate
night flights.