By: PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State owned airline, Ibom Air has launched into operations, additional two A320-200 aircraft at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, the state capital.
Commissioning the new aircraft on Tuesday, Governor Udom Emmauel said the procurement of the additional aircraft was in line with the need of passengers who are sometimes stranded for lack of enough aircrafts to board.
Emmanuel described the ceremony as another event that has brought joy to his heart, stressing that it would further prove his critics wrong on rumours alleging that his administration has nothing to show for the money accruing to state from the federal allocation accounts since assuming power as the governor of the state.
Governor of Edo State, Mr. Obaseki who performed the inauguration of the new aircraft, commended governor Emmanuel for sustaining the efforts his predecessors in the aviation sector to create wealth for the people as well as generate huge foreign exchange for the state.
“Many people in this state may not see the worth of what the governor has done in the aviation industry but I want to say that this stride will yield greater dividend in decades to come.” Governor Obaseki said.
The Managing Director of Ibom Air, Capt. Mfon Udom said the new two A320-200 Airbus with 150 seat capacity will provide enough seat to carry more passengers, especially during festive periods.
Capt Udom also said that with the new A320-200 Airbus which he added is the latest model of commercial aircraft in the world, Ibom Air would commence regional commercial flight operations from first quarter of 2023.
He stressed that by so doing, no fewer than 300 persons would be employed to add to existing 540 staff strength in Ibom Air with 300 of them below the 30 years age bracket.
Earlier, the management of Ibom Air in a press release has stated that the new aircraft which arrived over the weekend, were procured from GetJet Airlines UAB (operating as GETJET), a European aircraft leasing company, on a one year wet-lease agreement.
According to the Chief Operating Officer, Mr George Uriesi in the release which was signed by, Aniekan Essienette, GM Marketing and Communication of Ibom Air, “The wet-lease agreement is a stop-gap measure undertaken to meet current demands and accommodate growth, while awaiting the deliveries of our ten brand new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, an order that was firmed up in November 2021 at the Dubai Airshow.
“With this new capacity coming on board, we are delighted to inform our passengers that we have increased our offerings, providing more frequencies for their convenience. The Uyo-Lagos and Uyo-Abuja route now have three frequencies every weekday, while our passengers between Lagos and Abuja will have seven frequencies to choose from both ways, every weekday”.The release stated.
Ibom Air is a limited liability company wholly owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which aims to set the standard as an Airline of choice for passengers by focusing on schedule reliability, on-time departures, and excellent service. It has a fleet of seven Aircraft: five (5) Bombardier CRJ 900 and two (2) Airbus A320-300, covering seven (7) destinations.
