It was celebration galore as an Ethiopian Airlines flight just landed at the international wing of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

The historic flight marks the beginning of commercial international flight operations in the South-East of Nigeria and marks a fulfillment of the promise made to Ndigbo by President Goodluck Jonathan while seeking their votes for the 2011 presidential ballot.

Among those on board the flight which originated from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, are Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime.Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Governors Peter Obi of Anambra, Martin Elechi of Ebonyi and Theodore Orji of Abia are on hand to welcome the flight. Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha is however conspicuously absent.

Other dignitaries present include the minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah; Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo; and Health, Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu.

The aircraft, which is presently taxiing to a stop, is expected to later leave for Ethiopia with passengers. The airport is wearing a carnival-like look, with georgeously-dressed dancers entertaining the crowd on hand to witness the making of history.