The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has led a delegation of State Executives and members of the airline’s management team to a pre-delivery inspection of Ibom Air’s third Airbus A220-300 aircraft at the aircraft manufacturing production facility in Mirabel, Canada.

A statement yesterday by the Group Manager, Marketing and Communication, Ibom Air, Aniekan Essienette, said that the inspection marked another milestone in Ibom Air’s fleet modernisation and growth strategy.

The delegation was received in Canada by the Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Canada, Guillaume Chevasson, during the inspection, which formed part of the formal acceptance process ahead of the aircraft’s delivery.

She also said that it was part of the acceptance process before the aircraft entered commercial service.

The aircraft is Ibom Air’s third Airbus A220-300 and the second A220 to be received under the airline’s firm order for 10 Airbus A220 aircraft placed in 2021.

Essientte stated that its addition marked a further step in Ibom Air’s commitment to expanding capacity, strengthening connectivity and operating one of Africa’s most modern fleets.

In his comment, Eno said the inspection reflected the state’s commitment to the continued growth of Ibom Air as a strategic asset for Akwa Ibom State.

He maintained that the investment aligned with the ARISE Agenda his vision of establishing Akwa Ibom as a leading aviation hub, supported by world-class infrastructure and a modern airline.

“We look forward to formally receiving this aircraft in Akwa Ibom State and to the economic opportunities that enhanced connectivity will create for trade, tourism, investment, and regional development,” he added.

Speaking on the significance of the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, said the pre-delivery inspection represented an important milestone in the airline’s fleet expansion programme and brought the carrier one step closer to welcoming the equipment.

He added: “As demand for air travel continues to grow across our markets, we remain focused on investing in modern aircraft that deliver superior operational efficiency, reliability, safety, and passenger comfort.

“The Airbus A220 continues to be the ideal aircraft for our network strategy, and we look forward to deploying this latest addition into our network in furtherance of our growth objectives.”

Speaking on the partnership with Ibom Air, Chevasson, expressed delight with the trust reposed on the company by Ibom Air.

He maintained that the A220 was the ideal aircraft for the airline’s fleet modernisation, due to its exceptional operational flexibility, fuel efficiency, passenger comfort, and performance across domestic and regional networks.