Ibom Air receives second Airbus from 10-aircraft order placed under former governor

Ibom Air's newest aircraft is only the second of 10 Airbus A220-300s ordered by the administration of former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2021. Its arrival is being presented as both a fleet expansion and a continuation of a project launched under the former governor.

The aircraft, registered as 5N-CDC, was handed over at Airbus's final assembly facility in Mirabel, Canada, after Ibom Air Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer George Uriesi signed the transfer-of-title documents, according to the airline's marketing and communications manager, Aniekan Essienette.

Akwa Ibom planned to receive the aircraft at Victor Attah International Airport, Ibom Air's base, during a ceremony marking the state's 39th anniversary. Airline employees, government officials and residents were awaiting its arrival.

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Working in collaboration with the Airbus team, Ibom Air took an innovative approach to making the choice of the A220.

Emmanuel established Ibom Air in 2019 despite public criticism, making Akwa Ibom the first subnational entity in Nigeria to own and operate a commercial airline. His administration later ordered the 10 Airbus aircraft at the 2021 Dubai Airshow, where Nigeria, through Ibom Air, was the only African country to sign a purchase agreement with Airbus.

The airline first wet-leased two A220s for a year to test whether the aircraft suited its needs. It said the trial confirmed the model's fit for domestic and regional operations. The order supported plans to add domestic routes and expand into West and Central Africa. Ibom Air now has seven Bombardier CRJ 900s and two A220-300s, serving seven domestic destinations as well as Accra, Ghana. Enugu State has since launched Enugu Air, while Cross River and Bayelsa are exploring airline projects.

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The order of the 10 Airbus A220 is in line with the airline's aggressive growth plan, which will see it expanding its footprint into new domestic routes as well as regional routes covering West and Central Africa in the immediate future.