Ibom Air purchases 10 Airbus A220 aircraft from Bombadier at Dubai Air Show as it expands

AKWA Ibom's state-owned airline Ibom Air has procured 10 Airbus A220 aircraft from Bombardier Aerospace as part of a comprehensive expansion plan aimed at increasing its presence in the Nigerian market.

Aiming to not only establish itself as a major operator within the Nigerian aviation market but regionally too, Ibom Air has its sights on central Africa.  Two years ago, Ibom Air procured two A220s on a one-year wet lease and is now expanding its fleet having tested and validated the aircrafts as being ideal for its domestic and regional aspirations

Earlier this week, Governor Udom Emmanuel led a delegation from Ibom Air to the ongoing Dubai Air Show where the purchase was announced. With the purchase agreement signed, deliveries of the aircraft to Ibom Air are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2023.

At the event, the agreement, which was signed by Mfon Udom, the chief executive of Ibom Air and Christian Scherer, the chief commercial officer of Airbus, was witnessed by Uko Udom, the Akwa Ibom State attorney-general and justice commissioner. This latest order 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.

Under the first phase of this expansion plan, Ibom Air will expand its operations into cities like Malabo, Douala, Libreville, Kinshasa, Accra, Abidjan, Freetown, Banjul and Dakar. Ultimately the airline then intends to operate throughout the rest of the African continent, becoming a genuine major aviation operative.

Governor Emmanuel said: “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. 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.” Okpolupm Etteh, the Akwa Ibom State commissioner for special duties, added that Governor Emmanuel is also committed to the timely completion of work at the maintenance, repairs, and overhaul facility at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo.