The Federal Government has officially transferred control of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu to Aero Alliance Limited. This marks the conclusion of a long-delayed concession arrangement between public and private partners.
Aero Alliance will now finance, rehabilitate, expand, and manage the airport operations. The company must maintain international standards for safety, efficiency, and passenger service at all times.
Governor Peter Mbah hailed the handover as a watershed moment. He said the concession unlocks significant economic possibilities across the South East region.
Aero Alliance pledged to develop AIIA into a premier African aviation hub. The company aims to position the airport as a leading logistics and commercial center on the continent.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo addressed the ceremony at the airport's international terminal on Thursday. He praised both President Tinubu and Governor Mbah for driving the deal forward.
Keyamo recalled that previous governments spent two decades trying to privatize airports without success. He noted that bidders once ignored Enugu and Port Harcourt in favor of Lagos, Kano, and Abuja.
"Everyone wanted the ready-made meal," Keyamo told reporters at the event. Under the current administration, however, the situation reversed dramatically.
Lagos, Abuja, and Kano now lack bidders, according to the minister. Enugu and Port Harcourt have instead attracted serious investor interest.
Mbah approached President Tinubu shortly after taking office with an airport development strategy. Tinubu approved the plan and directed officials to provide full support.
The governor launched Enugu Air and recruited capital investors for the project. His initiative transformed perceptions of the airport's commercial viability.
Keyamo credited Mbah with arriving at office with concrete plans rather than assessments. "He is exactly the kind of partnership the federal government needs," the minister noted.
Aero Alliance must now operate with utmost professionalism and transparency, Keyamo stressed. Safety and operational excellence remain non-negotiable requirements.
Concerns about job cuts were dismissed by the minister during questioning. Employment will actually increase under the new concession terms, he confirmed.
Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Director-General Jobson Ewalefor called the transfer historic. He thanked President Tinubu for enabling the agreement to materialize.
Ewalefor praised Mbah's commitment to infrastructure development across Enugu State. The governor's vision aligned perfectly with national economic priorities, he added.
Aero Alliance representatives announced that cargo flights between Enugu and Guangzhou will begin soon. This route will strengthen connections between Nigeria and China through the airport.
The handover documents include a comprehensive assets register and operational guidelines. Aero Alliance received all necessary certifications to commence duties immediately.
Industry observers view the concession as a turning point for regional aviation. It signals renewed investor confidence in South Eastern airports.
Stakeholders gathered at the ceremony to witness the historic agreement execution. Airport staff and government officials attended the Thursday afternoon event.
Mbah's administration plans further airport improvements beyond the concession agreement. State officials are already discussing expansion of ground facilities and services.
