Commercial flight operations have officially commenced at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke, drawing large crowds of travelers from across the Southern region eager to connect to and from Lagos.
When NATIONAL PANEL reporter visited the airport, the atmosphere was buzzing with activity as United Nigeria Airlines completed a smooth landing from Lagos without any operational hitches. The arrival marked a significant milestone in Ebonyi State’s aviation sector.
A fleet of airport taxis was strategically positioned at various spots around the terminal, ready to transport arriving passengers to their destinations across the state.
Several passengers who spoke with journalists expressed satisfaction with the quality of service. They praised the smoothness of both takeoff and landing procedures and lauded the state-of-the-art runway at the Onueke facility.
Richard Idike, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports and a passenger on the flight, shared his excitement: “We boarded United Nigeria Airlines from Lagos to Onueke, and the experience was seamless.
"The runway is second to none. I’ve used several airports in Nigeria, and this stands out as the best,” he said.
He also encouraged residents in the Southern region to embrace the new route for their travel needs.
Meanwhile, long queues formed as passengers prepared to board the return flight to Lagos, while others were seen retrieving luggage and exiting the terminal.
Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu, Commissioner for Aviation and Transport Technology, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to sustained commercial operations at the airport.
> “There’s no going back. Flight operations are fully active at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport. We urge travelers to purchase tickets through the Ministry of Aviation and ensure punctuality to avoid missing their flights,” she advised.
The successful operation underscores the readiness of Ebonyi to become a regional hub in domestic air travel.
