Ebonyi State government said that it would construct an airport in the state, in early 2019.

The state Governor, David Umahi who disclosed this when a delegation of the Ethiopian Airlines paid him on a courtesy call at the government House Abakaliki, noting that the airport might not be the biggest in the country but would be the most functional and beautiful.

According to Umahi, the government had always accomplished all its set out to do adding that its business consultants would also liaise with airline to assist government officials who intend travelling, obtain discounted tickets.

“I am not happy about the quality of aircraft sent to the country by the airline, especially to Nigeria especially the ones sent to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu.

He noted that he had also complained about Emirate airlines on such issues because people fly on more beautiful airlines on getting to Dubai, even the ones you can bath inside on first-class.

“I will not allow such situations if I were Nigeria’s president because we have to be treated like citizens of other countries by the airline,” he said.

The governor also complained about the time passengers spend waiting to board Ethiopian airline flights, noting that it extends to 14 hours most times.

“Passengers also complain bitterly about the lounge and if one waits such for such time, the person should do so with comfort and am also not happy as the chairman of the south-east governors forum, that no Ebonyi citizen works with the airline.

He suggested to the airline to dedicate flights that would fly through Enugu to Abuja and Lagos, especially those that would fly in the evenings.

“The route to Lagos and Abuja from Enugu is viable and such flights can take passengers to those places by 4pm and bring back those who want to return to Enugu by 5pm.

Speaking, Mr Solomon Megistu, leader of the delegation and the Traffic and Sales Manager of the Airline, Enugu Office, noted that the airline acknowledges the south-east states’ importance to Nigeria, West Africa and entire continent.

“We are the only international carrier in the South East zone and intend to strengthen our relationship with the region generally and Ebonyi in particular,” he said.

He noted that the airline continually improves on its products and services to meet customers’ expectation “as Enugu is our chosen gateway into the South East.”