 A220 aircraft with Airbus.){kind=link}
In fulfilment of his promise to ensure Akwa Ibom becomes a dominant player in the aviation sector within the West African and African aviation hub, Governor Udom Emmanuel on Tuesday, November 16 led a delegation from Ibom Air to the ongoing Dubai Air show.
A statement by the Akwa Ibom state government, stated that Governor Emmanuel placed an order for ten (10) A220 aircraft with Airbus.
With the purchase agreement signed, deliveries of the aircraft to Ibom Air are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2023.
The agreement, which was signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, Mr. Mfon Udom, and Chief Commercial Officer of Airbus, Mr. Christian Scherer, also had the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN in attendance.
Others are the chairman of Ibom Air, Mr. Imoabasi Jacob, the airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. George Uriesi, the Group Manager of Marketing and communication, Mrs. Aniekan Essienette, and the Group Manager Corporate Services, Mrs. Imelda Aba, in attendance.
Ibom Air’s ordering of the ten (10) Airbus A220 is in line with the airline’s aggressive growth plan, which will see it expanding its footprint into new domestic routes as well as regional routes covering West and Central Africa in the immediate future.
The first phase of this expansion is set to cover cities like Malabo, Douala, Libreville, Kinshasa, Accra, Abidjan, Freetown, Banjul and Dakar. Ultimately the airline intends to operate throughout the continent of Africa.
Speaking at the event, Governor Emmanuel said the state is proud to be the first airline to order the all-new Airbus A220 in Nigeria.
His words: “The A220 will allow us to increase the number of passengers into Akwa Ibom, thus bringing more first-time visitors and business travelers 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. 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 in the interest of Akwa Ibom people.”