Jan 27, 2017: The Imo State government has launched Nigeria's first state-owned commercial airline called Imo Air. The government said the airline, to be operated by Dana Air, will improve the revenue base of the state and help create jobs for the locals.

Governor Rochas Okorocha who has already taken delivery of the first batch of air planes at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, said the airline would hold its own against other operators in the Nigerian aviation sector.

Flagging off the airline service at the airport yesterday, Okorocha said the cargo airport would target to open the Southeast up to importers and exporters of all kinds of commodities, thereby reducing over reliance on Lagos, Kano and other international airports for the export and import of goods.

Okorocha who said the Imo Air would boost the Southeast 'economic liberation struggle', explained that the Imo Air would be operated for the state by Dana Air because the state had not got the license to operate full airline service.

Okorocha said it had been his dream to position Imo State on the fast lane of development, prosperity and growth, adding that he would not rest on his oars towards that goal.

Photo Credit: New Telegraph Online