Ibom Air celebrates with 7 aircraft flying 7 routes
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Ibom Air is celebrating three years of operations with “customers and our community” in a rare success of a state owned enterprise amid the litter of moribund ventures nationwide of public ventures drowned by corruption and financial theft.
Ibom Air, launched on 7 June 2019, is owned by Akwa Ibom. It is the brainchild of Governor Udom Emmanuel and his passion to see it succeed has kept it afloat, without interference in the running of a business that is highly capital intensive.
Ibom Air has lined up activities to commemorate the milestone attained thus far, which includes a fleet of seven aircraft flying busy and lucrative routes across Nigeria and with sights on destinations outside the country.
The airline said in a statement that its customers and community have the opportunity to win free flight tickets and an invitation to watch the private screening of the aviation-themed 2022 movie Top Gun: Maverick.
Ibom Air commenced scheduled commercial flight operations on 7 June 2019 with an inaugural flight from Uyo to Lagos, the statement recounted.
Three years down the line, with over one and a half million passengers flown and about 22,000 flights later, Ibom Air said it has come to be known for its brand promise of schedule reliability, on-time departures and excellent service.
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Bold new idea
The story of Ibom Air began as an audacious, bold new idea, which has quickly grown to earn its place in Nigeria’s aviation landscape, winning notable awards along the way, including Airline of the Year two years in a row – 2020 and 2021 – among many other awards from notable institutions, the statement added, per Premium Times.
“Looking back over the last three years and how far we have come as a business, this milestone presents yet another opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to our esteemed passengers,” said Ibom Air Chief Operating Officer George Uriesi.
“And so, on behalf of the board, management and staff of Ibom Air, I say a big thank you to all our valued customers and stakeholders, including our shareholder, the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State.”
Uriesi expressed appreciation to Emmanuel for taking the bold step, believing in and standing by this vision of Ibom Air.
“We are humbled by the overwhelming public acceptance and goodwill we have enjoyed from the Nigerian traveling public, which has motivated us to remain resolute and determined to keep pushing the envelope as we contribute our quota to the growth and stability of the aviation industry in Nigeria and Africa.”
Ibom Air currently has a fleet of seven aircraft – five Bombardier CRJ 900 and two Airbus A220-300, covering seven destinations.
