Ebonyi Air Secures Licenses as Governor Nwifuru’s Aviation Vision Becomes Reality

​The "Salt of the Nation" is officially taking to the skies, marking a historic milestone in Governor Francis Nwifuru’s "People's Charter of Needs" agenda. In a move that cements the administration’s reputation for bold infrastructure, the Ebonyi State Government has announced the successful licensing of its state-owned airline, Ebonyi Air. This development positions Ebonyi as a rising regional aviation powerhouse, joining the elite ranks of Nigerian states like Akwa Ibom to own and operate a commercial fleet.

​For months, skeptics questioned whether a state-owned airline was a "political statement" or a reality, but addressing these concerns on Tuesday, February 3rd, the Commissioner for Aviation and Transport Technology, Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu, was emphatic: "Ebonyi Air is real and operationally grounded. We now have licenses for all flight operations." The state has not only secured the required paperwork but has already procured three aircraft for the outfit. While residents have been eager to see the planes at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, the Commissioner clarified that because the state does not yet have its own hangars, the fleet is currently stationed in Abuja and Lagos for safe-keeping during final documentation and regulatory compliance.

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​The launch of Ebonyi Air is backed by massive technical upgrades at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport. Just days ago, the government completed a permanent, nine-storey control tower—equipped with a functional elevator system—replacing the mobile tower used for the past five years. More so, with the recent installation of advanced runway lights across the 3.1km runway, the airport is now one of the few in the country capable of seamless night operations and landings in cloudy weather. This infrastructure ensures the airport is ready for cargo, commercial, domestic, and international flights, connecting Ebonyi’s agricultural and mineral resources to global markets.

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​This aviation breakthrough aligns with another major human capital milestone: the recent departure of a new batch of scholarship awardees to the United Kingdom. On February 2nd, 47 beneficiaries departed (with 43 more awaiting visa clearance) to pursue advanced studies, following a bond to return and serve the state for five years. It is clear that the Nwifuru administration is focusing on a dual-track development plan—building world-class infrastructure like Ebonyi Air while simultaneously training the minds that will manage the state’s future. As final documentations wrap up, the sight of "Ebonyi Air" on the Abakaliki runway is only a matter of weeks away.