Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, unveiled the first of 10 new Airbus A220-300 series aircraft for the state-owned carrier, Ibom Air.
The governor, who spoke when he unveiled the aircraft at the Victor Attah’s International Airport, Uyo, praised Ibom Air’s rapid growth over the past four years, crediting its success to professionalism and effective service delivery.
He said, “Today, we are gathered here to welcome (additional aircraft) to the fleet. Let me use this opportunity to thank our past leaders for the various works they did to move our dear state from its humble beginning 36 years ago, at its creation to today, where we are easily ranked as a subnational with easily the best road network and other infrastructural amenities in the nation.”
The Governor further stated that Ibom Air has expanded its routes to major cities in Nigeria and recently commenced commercial operations in Accra, Ghana. He also revealed plans to expand the airline’s network to the East, Central, and South African regions.
Eno acknowledged the initial scepticism about the project, stating that “When this idea was first announced, the usual naysayers had dismissed it as a flash of wishful thinking.”
Ibom Air initially started operations with two CRJ 900 Bombardier aircraft. The fleet expanded to five CRJ 900s within a year, followed by the addition of two brand new A220-300s, the first of their kind in the Nigerian aviation industry
Eno stressed the airline’s current status as a leading brand in the Nigerian aviation industry, proving the doubters wrong.
”When this idea was first announced, the usual naysayers had dismissed it as a flash of wishful thinking. But as he always would say: the answer to doubters is success that shocks and confounds.
“Today, Ibom Air is the leading brand in the Nigerian aviation industry, a mere four years plus after it started commercial operations,” he added
While thanking former Governor Udom Emmanuel for his vision in conceptualising Ibom Air, Eno pledged his administration’s continued support.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to fulfilling all financial obligations related to the Airbus acquisition and its ongoing investment in the airline’s growth
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