Nigeria's Southeast traders who buy goods in China may soon stop routing their containers through Lagos and Port Harcourt. The first direct cargo flight from Guangzhou, China, into Enugu is targeting December this year.

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo announced the plan on Thursday in Lagos, during the unveiling of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft acquired by United Nigeria Airlines. He said negotiations with the Enugu State government are already underway.

"Just two days ago, the Enugu governor and I were actively negotiating the first direct cargo flight from Guangzhou, China, straight into Enugu," Keyamo said. "We're targeting December for the maiden flight."

The plan allows Southeast merchants and traders based in China to consolidate their goods into unified cargo accounts twice a week. Goods will fly directly into Enugu, then move to commercial hubs like Onitsha and Aba without passing through Lagos.

Keyamo said the move is designed to improve trade logistics and strengthen commercial activity in the region. Currently, most goods from China arrive at Lagos seaports or airports, then travel by road to the Southeast — a journey that adds days and costs.

### Enugu Airport now privately run

The minister also confirmed that Enugu International Airport has been fully handed over to private-sector operators under the direction of the Enugu State government.

"One of our prides in the South is the Enugu International Airport. The Enugu governor approached Mr President, noting that the airport wasn't maximising its economic potential under standard bureaucratic structures, and requested to bring in private investors to run it. Mr President gave the green light," Keyamo explained.

"As I speak with you, Enugu airport is now fully privately owned and run under the direction of the state government, with the clear objective of turning it into a dedicated cargo hub for the entire South-east."

### Abia International Airport advancing

Keyamo also gave an update on the Abia State International Airport in Umuahia, saying construction work on the runway is at an advanced stage.

He said the project started as a basic airstrip but was expanded into a full international airport after federal approval and increased state funding.

"The first thing we did when we came to power was that I went to Mr President and said, 'Abia doesn't have an airstrip or airport in the whole of the South.' He was surprised, and we ensured it was captured as one of our first critical projects in the 2024 budget," Keyamo said.

He credited Governor Alex Otti for pushing the project beyond the original scope. "When we scheduled an airstrip, he went straight to Mr President behind me and said, 'Sir, bring the money budgeted for the airstrip, I have counterpart funding. I'll now make it a full international airport.'"

Keyamo added that Abia State has already injected its counterpart funding far ahead of the Federal Government's allocation. "Our money is coming, but work has advanced rapidly under his guidance."

### Domestic airlines get international routes, leasing boost

Keyamo said the Federal Government is introducing measures to strengthen domestic airlines and expand their access to international routes. United Nigeria Airlines, he said, has been granted reciprocal routes including New York, Canada, and Dubai.

"We're only looking for the equipment to run these routes right now," he said.

To help airlines acquire that equipment, the government has approved the establishment of the Nigerian Aircraft Leasing Company. Keyamo said the company will bring in aircraft under government-backed dry-lease agreements and sub-lease them directly to domestic airlines.

"I went to Mr President to advocate for local operators who face strict international leasing hurdles. He has formally approved the establishment of the Nigerian Aircraft Leasing Company," Keyamo stated.

"This company will exist solely to bring in aircraft under a solid government guarantee through private dry-lease agreements, which will then be sub-leased directly to our domestic airlines."

Governor Alex Otti, who was also at the event, said he hopes United Nigeria Airlines will establish a major operational base at the Abia airport once it's completed.