Ibom Air, a state-owned airline, has announced the addition of a 133-passenger Airbus A220-300 to its fleet.
According to The PUNCH, the acquisition was disclosed on Tuesday through a statement by the airline’s General Manager for Marketing and Communications, Aniekan Essienette.
The new Airbus, which is the second of its kind in Ibom Air’s fleet, touched down at Nigeria’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on August 10.
However, the official reception by the airline’s stakeholders and the Akwa Ibom State Government took place later at Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, the state capital.
In the statement, Essienette highlighted that this acquisition is part of Ibom Air’s broader strategy to rapidly expand its capacity and enhance its route network.
She also relayed words from the airline’s Chairman, Imoabasi Jacob, who commended the dedication and perseverance of Ibom Air’s management, as well as the strong backing from the state governor.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, expressed his excitement about the new aircraft, stating, “The arrival of our second Airbus A220 reiterates the state’s unwavering 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.”
Mfon Udom, the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, underscored the importance of this new addition, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome our second wholly owned Airbus A220. This aircraft will significantly boost our capacity in response to the growing service demand. A special thanks to the Nigerian financial institutions who continue to partner 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 assured.
