Ibom Air makes history, receives new airbus 220 aircraft

Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and founder of Ibom Air, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, was among those present at the weekend, when the state made history in Nigeria’s aviation industry with the delivery of the first of 10 brand new Airbus A220-300 series airplanes, earlier signed during his tenure in 2021.

Ibom Air was founded in 2019 during the administration of Emmanuel and two years later, on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, he led a delegation from Ibom Air to the Dubai Air show where he met and reached a firm agreement with Airbus for the procurement of 10 new A220-300 series airplanes.

Subsequently, last Friday in Montreal, Canada, Emmanuel was with top management staff of Ibom Air that inspected and received the first aircraft at the Airbus’ Mirabel facility.

The Chief Executive Officer of Airbus, Benoit Schultz; Vice President, Daniel Wenninger; Head Of Airbus A220 Delivery Center, Marc Arpin and Cyrille Picard, Sales Director Middle-East and Africa made the presentation of the new Airbus aircraft.

Leading top management officers of Ibom Air were the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, Captain Mfon Udom and the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. George Uriesi.

Speaking at the occasion, Emmanuel said Ibom Air is the first airline to take delivery of the all-new Airbus A220 in Nigeria.

He said during his time as governor, he had envisaged Ibom Air becoming a dominant player in the aviation sector within the West African and African aviation hub and commended Governor Umo Eno for sustaining the aviation development project of the state.

The Airbus A220-300 stands at the forefront of modern aviation technology, garnering global recognition for its revolutionary fuel efficiency, cutting-edge technology and top-notch passenger comfort and safety features.

The aircraft is adaptable for short and medium-haul commercial operations, with a range of up to seven hours (up to 3,450 nautical miles).

The addition of the Airbus A220-300 to Ibom Air’s fleet positions the airline for expanded service across diverse destinations within the African continent.

Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mfon Udom, expressed great enthusiasm on the arrival of the Airbus A220-300, saying: “The introduction of the Airbus A220-300 to our fleet is a game-changing leap forward for Ibom Air. The decision to invest in a fleet of highly efficient brand-new aircraft to power our growth plans underscores our determination to offer no less than world-class airline services to our valued customers.”

The Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, congratulated Ibom Air for the delivery of its first out of 10 aircraft it ordered from world’s largest airplane maker, Airbus.

Onyema, who was elated by the addition of the aircraft to Ibom Air fleet, said Nigerian carriers are getting stronger and stronger by the day, remarking that this is the first time in the history of aviation in Nigeria that different domestic carriers are ordering brand new equipment.

He said that this signifies a new dawn for air transport in Nigeria, stating that with more fleet, Nigerian carriers would create more jobs for the citizens, contribute to the nation’s GDP and burnish their desire to become preeminent in the market, airlifting more Nigerian to local and international destinations at affordable airfares.

“We are getting stronger and stronger by the day. May God Almighty be praised in the highest for this feat and everything. May Ibom Air and, indeed, all indigenous airlines in Nigeria continue to prosper. These airlines have given means of livelihood to thousands of Nigerians who were hitherto unemployed. God will continue to support Nigerian carriers. I wish all of us permanent safe flights and permanent safe landings forever, in God’s name, amen.

“My joy knows no bounds today because the more we see achievements like this, the less the demonisation of Nigerian airlines by vested interests both from within and outside the country. Congratulations to Ibom Air, congratulations to the government and good people of Akwa Ibom State, and congratulations to the Nigerian aviation industry for performing very well under a very disturbing environment,” the Air Peace Chairman said.