Ibom Air has officially presented its second Airbus A220-300 aircraft to shareholders and the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Umo Eno. The aircraft had arrived Nigeria via Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on August 10, 2024.
The shareholder, the Akwa Ibom State Government, formally received the aircraft on Tuesday, at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
A statement by Aniekan Essienette, General Manager, Marketing and Communication, Ibom Air, said that the acquisition aligned with Ibom Air’s strategic goal of rapidly increasing capacity and expanding its route network.
The Airbus A220-300, celebrated for its fuel efficiency, environmental sustainability, and passenger comfort, the airline said would enable it to increase flight frequencies on existing routes and expand to new destinations.
Imoabasi Jacob, the Chairman of Ibom Air, in his welcome address, commended the resilience and doggedness of Ibom’s management and the strong support of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
Also, Eno expressed his enthusiasm for the development of the airline, stressing that the arrival of the airline’s second Airbus A220 reiterated the state’s commitment to advancing our aviation sector.
“This addition aligns with our strategic vision for Ibom Air and supports the economic growth and development of Akwa Ibom State by enhancing air travel and connectivity, creating job opportunities, and boosting tourism,” he said.
Also commenting, Mfon Udom, Ibom Air’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), emphasized the significance of this addition to the airline’s fleet.
According to him, the aircraft would boost its capacity in response to the growing service demand and lauded the Nigerian financial institutions for partnering with Ibom Air, especially Fidelity Bank and Union Bank.
“We appreciate the tremendous support shown to us by our valued customers recently as we bore through flight disruption. We are committed to delivering remarkable improvements moving forward,” he said.
Kevin Ugwuoke, the Executive Director of Fidelity Bank who represented the CEO, expressed delight in joining Akwa Ibom State on this journey, noting that the bank shares a common passion for the state. The Airbus A220-300, acquired from Carlyle Aviation, adds to the nine remaining aircraft scheduled for delivery in the coming years. The first A220-300 in the fleet, delivered in November 2023, has already demonstrated exceptional comfort, safety, and operational efficiency.
The presentation of the second A220-300 aircraft to Ibom Air’s shareholders and the Governor of Akwa Ibom State reflects the company’s dedication to growth and excellence, as well as the state government’s unwavering support for its flagship carrier. As Ibom Air continues to expand its operations, the future looks promising for the airline and its stakeholders.
