Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, revealed the first of the 10 new Airbus A-220-300 series aircraft for the state carrier, Ibom Air.

During the unveiling ceremony at the Victor Attah’s International Airport in Uyo, the governor highlighted Ibom Air’s growth over the past four years, making it a preferred airline in Nigeria.

He emphasized Ibom Air’s significant achievements, stating, “Less than a year after it started operations, three additional CRJ 900 Bombardier aircraft were added to its fleet, bringing it to five. A year later, the airline further expanded its fleet with the addition of two brand new A220-300 Airbus series, the first of its kind in the Nigerian aviation industry, bringing the total fleet to seven.”

The governor expressed his gratitude to past leaders for their contributions to the state’s development and credited the success of Ibom Air to visionary leadership.

He noted that the airline had expanded its routes to major cities in Nigeria and recently initiated commercial operations in Accra, Ghana, with plans for further expansion into the East, Central, and South African regions.

“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,” the governor added.

Acknowledging the vision of former governor Udom Emmanuel in conceptualizing Ibom Air, the governor affirmed his commitment to sustaining the airline’s progress.

He highlighted ongoing efforts to fund various projects, including pilot training, cabin services improvement, airside perimeter fencing, taxiway rapid exit, apron construction, international terminal building, maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility, VIP car park, access road, and underground drainage.

“My administration is dedicated to supporting the giant strides the airline has made. We have kept faith with all previous financial obligations entered into, with Airbus, by the immediate past administration, and the result of that is the event we are witnessing today. Government is a continuum,” the governor stated.