Enugu Air has announced that its inaugural flight operations to London Gatwick will officially commence on 10 December of this year. Wholly owned by the Enugu State Government, the carrier stated that the development is designed to significantly enhance global connectivity for travellers originating from Enugu and other regions across Nigeria bound for the United Kingdom.
Speaking through an official statement released on Monday, the Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Tolu Ita, confirmed that ticketing portals are already active and open for reservations. The airline chief emphasized that the newly introduced route introduces an alternative international pathway for air passengers.
According to the leadership of Enugu Air, the service will be rolled out via a strategic alliance with Omni-Blu Aviation. Operations on the London corridor will feature an Airbus A330-200 aircraft deployed four times weekly, facilitated by an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance agreement with the Portugal-based carrier, EuroAtlantic.
What did the airline leadership say about the initiative?
“The commencement of our London Gatwick service reflects our commitment to expanding international connectivity and the vision of Governor Peter Mbah, to connect Enugu to more opportunities across the world,” Mr Ita stated. “Of particular importance is ensuring that passengers from Enugu can begin their international journey to London from their home airport, Akanu Ibiam International Airport. We are proud to make the journey from Enugu to London Gatwick a reality for our passengers.”
Echoing similar sentiments, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Omni- Blu Aviation, Akinola Olateru, lauded the partnership. He noted that the joint effort is geared toward bolstering Nigeria's international aviation infrastructure while broadening travel alternatives for customers.
“Our partnership with Enugu Air demonstrates our commitment to expanding Nigeria’s international air connectivity and creating more opportunities for passengers travelling between Nigeria and the United Kingdom,” Mr Olateru remarked.
Addressing the operational timeline, the Chief Operating Officer of Enugu Air, Ugonna Agubuokwu, explained that scheduling four weekly rotations will offer customers greater flexibility when organizing travel itineraries between Nigeria and London.