Ibom Air on Monday launched its Airbus A220-300 into commercial service with flights from Uyo to Lagos.
The A220 with registration 5N-CDA which arrived at the airline’s base in Uyo on December 8, 2023, from Mirabel, Canada is the first of ten ordered in November 2021.
Ibom Air’s aircraft debuted on Flight QI515 from Uyo Victor Attah International Airport (QUO) to Lagos Murtala Muhammed Airport (LOS).
The aircraft landed at 3.45pm with Umo Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom and his entourage among the 133 passengers it ferried from Uyo.
Captains Arif Jana and Adebayo Odunsi flew the aircraft in from Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state Capital.
George Uriesi, Executive director and Chief Operating Officer, Ibom Air explained that the aircraft operation took time because of the rigorous certification process.
Uriesi said, ”You know it’s a new aeroplane in Nigeria. It’s new for us, new for the NCAA and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) was also auditing this period. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) followed everything to the letter and we are happy for it also.
“Eventually, we are ready, thank God we have started today. It will operate between Lagos and Abuja from and then the second one is on its way. We expect it to come in between May and June. We are looking forward to a positive future.”
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom expresses continued support for the state’s tripod aviation ecosystem calling on the Federal government to partner.
The governor stressed that the projects( Ibom Air, Smart Terminal and MRO) are changing the face of aviation in Nigeria.
“My role is to support what they are doing and that is one of the reasons why I am here to support the vision that has been carved out which is fantastic.
“It is a deliberately planned ecosystem around the vision to be able to have the Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO), take care of flights not just Ibom Air but all around. Nigeria right now is trying to build one. it would take some years. We have one on the ground already so we are saying Nigeria, come and let’s partner and get it done. “
He said there is a plan which the state is following up on and that plan is yielding fruit with the aircraft starting commercial service.
