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 realized noted that businessmen and other travelers from Enugu, Aba, Abakaliki, Onitsha, Owerri, Umuahia and as far as Asaba and Benin will be saved the stress of traveling 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.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/enugu-gets-first-international-flight-today/157156/
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