The governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has said that the acquisition of Airbus A220 aircraft by the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, is aimed at enhancing the government’s economic growth strategy.
He stated this at the Dubai Air Show, Dubai where the airline placed an order for 10 A220 aircraft.
The agreement was signed yesterday by the airline’s chief executive officer, Mr. Mfon Udom and chief commercial officer of Mr Christian Scherer, with Emmanuel, the state’s attorney general and commissioner for justice, Mr. Uko Udom, chairman of Ibom Air, Mr. Imoabasi Jacob, airline’s chief operating officer, Mr. George Uriesi and some other management staff in attendance.
The governor said the airline was proud to be the first to order the all-new Airbus A220 in Nigeria adding that the airline had, earlier in the year “gathered to welcome the first Airbus into our fleet.”
“The A220 will allow us to increase the number of passengers into Akwa Ibom, thus bringing more first-time visitors and business travellers to the State. These efforts reflect our commitment to enabling local commerce and industry, in line with the State’s economic growth strategy. With this latest acquisition, Ibom Air is better positioned to contribute to driving long term economic growth for Akwa Ibom State.
“With this latest acquisition, Ibom Air is better positioned to contribute to driving long term economic growth for Akwa Ibom State.
“Ibom Air’s giant leap as evidenced by this bold step is a validation of the aviation development pillar of our completion agenda which is on course. I have said and will reiterate that, till the very last day, I will keep working for and I’m the interest of Akwa Ibom people.”
In his remarks, Udom said: “We are pleased with the steep growth we have achieved in the two years and five months since we commenced operations, a growth mainly driven by the massive embrace of our product and brand by the Nigerian domestic flying public.
“As we contemplated the next phase of our expansion strategy, we gave consideration and opted to procure two A220s on a one-year wet lease, in order to try out the aircraft to ensure it was fit for the purposes of our business.
“I am pleased to say here that the approach has been a huge success for us. We found out that not only can we fill up the aircraft, but it has also become a favourite in the Nigerian domestic market. Our passengers love it. And so, here we are today, ordering 10 A220s, having tested and validated it as the one stop solution for our domestic and regional aspirations.”
Also speaking, Scherer said the A220 is ideally suited to Nigeria’s aviation needs, providing operational flexibility, growing the business, and responding to demand for increased passenger services.
“Through this investment, Ibom Air is underscoring its ambition for regional and in due course, international connectivity, efficiency and versatility,” he added.
Spokesperson for the airline, Ms. Annie Essienette said in a statement that with the purchase agreement signed, the carrier would start taking delivery of the aircraft in the first quarter of 2023.
