Enugu Air Launches First International Flight to Cameroon

• Enugu Air has launched its maiden international flight from Enugu to Douala, Cameroon, opening a new direct air route between South-East Nigeria and Central Africa.

Enugu Air on Wednesday launched its maiden international flight from Enugu to Douala, Cameroon, marking a major expansion of the airline’s operations beyond Nigeria.

The inaugural flight departed from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, creating a new direct air connection between South-East Nigeria and Central Africa.

Stakeholders at the launch described the new route as a development that could strengthen trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and Cameroon.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State said the launch demonstrated that the vision behind Enugu Air was progressing beyond expectations.

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

According to Mbah, Enugu Air was not established merely as a political achievement but as part of a wider plan to position Enugu as a major destination for investment, business, tourism and living.

He said the Enugu-Douala connection went beyond air travel because it would link businesses and markets while strengthening Enugu’s position as a gateway to the wider world.

The governor added that Enugu Air had become one of the fastest-growing airlines in Nigeria and assured that the state government would continue supporting initiatives designed to improve connectivity and attract more people and businesses to the state.

Enugu Air Expands Beyond Nigeria

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

Ita said the airline first strengthened its domestic network by connecting Enugu with several Nigerian cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Owerri, Asaba, Benin and Osubi-Warri Airport.

She said the launch of the Enugu-Douala route marked the airline’s first major step into international operations.

According to her, the new route would facilitate more than the movement of passengers, as it would also support the movement of businesses, ideas and opportunities between Nigeria and Cameroon.

She said Enugu Air’s mission was to build stronger regional networks across Africa while gradually expanding access to wider international markets.

FAAN Welcomes New International Route

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

Kuku said the development further positioned Akanu Ibiam International Airport as a regional hub.

She noted that passengers travelling from Lagos, Abuja and other Nigerian cities could connect through Enugu to Douala.

The FAAN managing director also assured that the agency remained committed to providing the infrastructure, safety standards and operational support required to sustain international air services from the airport.

NCAA Highlights Trade and Tourism Opportunities

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

Najomo described Enugu and Douala as important economic centres and said direct connectivity between the two cities could create opportunities for increased trade, investment, tourism and movement of people.

He said the route aligned with the broader objective of improving intra-African connectivity and promoting economic integration across the continent.

However, the NCAA boss stressed that sustainable growth in the aviation sector must remain anchored on safety, security, regulatory compliance and operational reliability.

He urged Enugu Air to maintain operational discipline, professionalism and service quality as it begins operating the international route.

Enugu Air commenced commercial operations on July 7, 2025, from Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.