Ibom Air has announced the acquisition of a new Airbus A220-300, marking a strategic move to increase capacity and cater to rising passenger demand. The General Manager for Marketing and Communication, Aniekan Essienette, revealed this in a statement on Friday.
Owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government, Ibom Air is expanding its services with the addition of this aircraft sourced from Carlyle Aviation. “The acquisition underscores our commitment to expanding our services,” Essienette stated.
In October 2021, Ibom Air placed a firm order for ten Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with the first delivery taking place in November 2023. However, due to the rising demand for the airline’s services, the expansion plans have been accelerated. The airline opted to purchase this A220 from Carlyle Aviation, a globally recognized aircraft lessor.
Earlier this year, in February, Ibom Air ended its wet lease operations, signifying a significant shift towards fleet expansion. “The imminent deployment of our newly acquired A220-300 signifies our move away from temporary leasing arrangements,” Essienette added.
The acquisition event, held at Maastricht Airport in the Netherlands, was attended by His Excellency, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno. He was accompanied by several dignitaries, including the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, and the Chief Whip of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Effiong Johnson. Ibom Air’s executive team, including Chief Executive Officer Mfon Udom and Chief Operating Officer George Uriesi, were also present, showcasing the airline’s strong leadership and vision.
Essienette highlighted that the addition of this aircraft will bring Ibom Air’s fleet of A220s to 11, following the delivery of the remaining nine units. She also noted the increasing involvement of Nigerian banks in aircraft financing, indicating a positive trend for the aviation industry in the country.
