Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, has unfolded details of the operations of Africa’s major carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, to and from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu, with effect from this Saturday, August 24.

In a statement issued yesterday on her behalf by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Yakubu Dati, Oduah said she had written a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, informing him that the inaugural flight would arrive Enugu from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at 12.30 p.m. and depart by 1:30 p.m. She also confirmed that Ethiopian Airlines would be operating four weekly flights from Enugu.

According to the statement:

“This marks the first international flight operation from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport since it was designated by the Federal Government as the only international airport in the South-East zone and as part of the aviation master plan of the current government which targets giving every geo-political zone in the country an opportunity to grow its full socio-economic potentials.

“The Minister of Aviation also confirms that she had written a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, informing him about the historical flight which will arrive the Enugu airport by 12.30 p.m. and depart by 1:30 p.m. local time in the four-time weekly operation from the Coal City of Enugu.

“The operation of Ethiopian Airlines into Enugu will be the satisfaction of an enduring call from the people of the zone who had for many years, clamoured for an international airport which they believed would reinforce the resourcefulness of the people, known for their entrepreneurship and trade. Many of the passengers have lost their goods on transit as they convey them from these cities to their final destinations on their arrival from their overseas trips.

“Henceforth, businessmen and other travellers from Enugu, Aba, Abakaliki, Onitsha, Owerri, Umuahia as well as Asaba and Benin, will be saved the distress of travelling for hours to Lagos and Abuja to catch international flights, trips that are sometimes fraught with problems, including dangers on the road to catch international flights, trips that are sometimes fraught with problems, including dangers on the road while trying to catch their flights to international destinations from Lagos or Abuja.”

Datti in the statement recalled that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport was designed and built by former Nigerian Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, at the age of 26. She said it was remarking that Ekwueme’s vision of many years ago is now being fulfilled.

“The Minister of Aviation has shown her determination to actualise the goals of the aviation master plan which the Jonathan administration has pegged its transformation agenda on. The agenda include giving every part of the country and every citizen the opportunity to grow to his or her full potential,” he said, adding:

“With the international flight operations at the airport, a novel opportunity has been given to the people of the zone to expand their business horizon without stress and the inconveniences of having to travel far to catch international flights,” he said.

•Photo shows Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah.

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