Stakeholders in the aviation sector, as well as residents of South-East, on Wednesday, hailed the arrival of another airline at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
The United Nigeria Airline touched down at the Airport Wednesday afternoon, amidst jubilation by passengers and stakeholders.
DAILY POST gathered that this brings to 7, the number of airlines operating from the Airport.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the demonstration flight landed, the Manager, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Mrs. Cecilia Oguama said the development would boost activities within and outside the Airport.
She said, “we are glad for the increase of flight operations, increase of passengers too. It will affect our revenue positively bacsue with this flight now, we have almost 7 domestic airlines.
“So, passengers will have more choice, they are starting with Lagos and Abuja and I know very soon, they will expand to other routes.
“My expectation is that they will bring excellency on board, they will bring timeliness on board and they will improve generally on the system.”
Also speaking, Mr. Victor Egbo, HOD Commercial, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, re-echoed the joy shared by the Airport Manager.
Egbo said, “This is a whole gamut of revenue source for us; overtime we had just about two airlines operating from Enugu. Just now today, having an additional airline, we have at least an additional 10 percent of our annual revenue, aeronautic revenue source.
“It is a very big thing for us. And also for Enugu and the people of the South-East, this comes with a general improvement on the economy.
“This airport will also be hosting this airline as its home base, we have not had anything like that in the recent past.”
A passenger, Mr. Jude Emenike said he was delighted that more airlines were now operating from Enugu.
“This is no longer a time we had no choice to make. I am happy that another airline has arrived at this Airport, especially as its base. It will in no small means boost not just the economy of the airport but Enugu State and beyond.
“It’s a good thing and we the passengers are happier for it,” he said with joy.
Another passenger, Miss Jane Obi told our correspondent that her expectation is that the airline should make a difference in the area of timeliness.
“Since Enugu is its operational base, I expect that timeliness should be their watchword. I am happy that we now have a variety of choices to make,” she noted.
