Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has conducted a pre-delivery inspection of a brand-new Airbus A220-300 aircraft acquired for the state-owned Ibom Air.
The inspection was carried out at the Airbus production facility in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada, as Ibom Air prepares to take delivery of the aircraft.
The aircraft is the third Airbus A220-300 being added to Ibom Air’s fleet, reinforcing the state government’s ongoing fleet expansion programme.
The development marks another step in Akwa Ibom’s efforts to strengthen its aviation infrastructure and expand the capacity of Ibom Air, which is wholly owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government.
Eno Leads Inspection
Governor Eno led a delegation comprising state government officials and members of Ibom Air’s management team during the inspection of the aircraft.
The visit enabled the governor and the delegation to assess the aircraft ahead of its formal delivery and eventual deployment into commercial service.
Reports indicate that the aircraft is expected to commence operations before Christmas, subject to the completion of the delivery and necessary operational processes.
Ibom Air Expands Fleet
The latest Airbus acquisition forms part of a broader plan to expand Ibom Air’s fleet and strengthen its domestic and regional operations.
The airline, which commenced commercial operations in 2019, has progressively expanded beyond its initial operations and now serves as an important component of Akwa Ibom’s aviation strategy.
Akwa Ibom State had earlier announced plans to expand Ibom Air’s fleet to 10 aircraft, with additional Airbus aircraft expected as part of the expansion programme.
The state government’s original order with Airbus dates back to 2021, when Ibom Air signed a firm order for 10 Airbus A220 aircraft.
Focus on Aviation Infrastructure
The fleet expansion comes alongside efforts to strengthen aviation infrastructure in Akwa Ibom.
Governor Eno has also been pursuing the activation of the Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo.
The state government says the MRO project is intended to strengthen local aviation capacity, create skilled employment and support the growing requirements of Ibom Air’s expanding fleet.
Ibom Air has also expanded its international outlook, with the Victor Attah International Airport now supporting international operations, including the Uyo–Accra route.
A Major Investment in Akwa Ibom’s Aviation Sector
The arrival of another factory-new Airbus represents a significant development for Ibom Air and the state’s wider aviation ambitions.
Rather than relying solely on leased aircraft, the fleet expansion is designed to give the state-owned airline greater capacity as it develops its domestic and regional network.
The new A220-300 is therefore expected to play a role in Ibom Air’s long-term plans to increase passenger capacity, improve connectivity and strengthen Akwa Ibom’s position as an emerging aviation hub in the South-South and South-East regions.
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