Ebonyi State commissioner for aviation and Transport Technology, Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu, yesterday said the state government had concluded plans to purchase four aircraft for the smooth take-off of the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport in Onueke, Ezza South local government area of the state.

Mrs. Obichukwu who announced the plan during an inspection tour of the completed 3.5 kilometer runway said the government would float its airline with the four aircraft.

She said other investors had already indicated interest to give the state extra three aircraft, adding that the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport would not just boost the economic base of the state but also showcase Ebonyi State to the world.

“We will soon start floating our aircraft. When flight operations starts at the airport, we have investors that are ready to give us extra three planes. We have already entered into agreement with them, and very soon it will start happening.

“Permit me to announce to you that the governor, Francis Nwifuru, is very passionate about bringing in our own planes. And we are launching four at a time and when it comes, everybody will hear it. The governor wants to make this airport the economic hub of the Southeast region,” she said.

She expressed joy on the completion of the runway adding that the commercial operation of the International Airport is expected to take off in August this year with President Bola Tinubu flying into the State through the newly completed Airport.