In 2019, Ibom Air commenced full operations for the first time after it was announced in the same year. The Nigerian Airline is owned and operated by the Akwa Ibom State government. When it started, it had six national destinations, but a few months later, so much has continued to change for the airline.
Ironically, before Ibom Air was announced, the Nigerian government had announced its own airline known as Nigeria Air. Although a name and logo were unveiled, in the UK, it was later suspended even before it was launched. This has drawn so much attention to Akwa Ibom after the state promised and delivered on introducing its airline. Here are some important facts to know about the airline:
Profile of Ibom Airlines
- Launched: 2019
- First Flight: June 7, 2019
- Ownership: Akwa Ibom State Government
- Hub: Akwa Ibom Airport
- Destinations: Uyo (hub), Lagos, Abuja, Calabar, Enugu, Port Harcourt
- Fleet: 7 (2 Airbus A220 and 5 Bombardier CRJ900)
Facts To Know About Ibom Air
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1. It was launched by the government of Akwa Ibom
As stated, Ibom AIr was founded in 2019 by the government of Akwa Ibom under Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. Although it was in 2021 that it started full operations, its first flight was on June 7, 2019. It was on this day that Ibom Air first took off with Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft from Victor Attah International Airport (IATA: QUO) to Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. It flew government officials from the state to Lagos.
The airline signed Nigeria’s first domestic codeshare agreement with Dana Air in May 2021, setting it up for full operations.
2. Ibom Air became the first state in Nigeria to own its airline
With the successful launch of Ibom Air, Akwa Ibom became the first and only state in the country to own its airline. Interestingly, the state government has also claimed that it is also the first state in Subsaharan Africa to own an airline.
3. The airline has 7 aircraft to its air fleet
In less than two years after it started full operations, the airline has already had 6 airlines. In June 2021, the Akwa Ibom State Government purchased two new aircraft to add to the fleet of Ibom Airlines. The Airbus A220 Series aircraft were said to be less than 2 years old at the time of purchase.
Before these two, the state had already had five Bombardier CRJ900 which had fewer seats when compared to the newly acquired aircraft.
4. It has six destinations in Nigeria
For now, Ibom Airlines covers only local destinations. It flies to Abuja via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airports, Calabar via the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Enugu via the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Uyo via the Akwa Ibom Airport, Lagos via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, and the Port Hardcourt via the Port Harcourt International Airport.
5. Ibom Air is getting the stage for regional flights
Even though it now only covers international destinations, the state revealed that it is working towards starting regional operations as it intends to cover the Gambia and other African countries. The Airline is getting more aircraft for this purpose. Beyond the African region, it also hopes to also offer international flights in the not too distant future.
6. The state is currently constructing an Airport Terminal for Ibom Air
As it continues to get set to commence Internation Flight starting from the African region, Akwa Ibom is constricting a new Airport Terminal for its airline. The state revealed that the terminal is constructed to handle a minimum of 1 million passengers each year. More so, it is designed to have a sitting capacity of 1,000. The terminal is expected to have two ways; one way will be for international flights while the other will be domestic. The state is projecting to commission the terminal by December 2022.
7. Ibom Air is one of the less than 20 airlines in Nigeria
With the introduction of Ibom Airlines, it got to join the aviation industry in Nigeria which is controlled by less than 20 airlines. Others include Air Peace, Allied Air, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, Azman Air, Dana Air, Dornier Aviation Nigeria, Green Africa Airways, Kabo Air, Overland Airways, Tat Nigeria, United Nigeria Airlines, and West Link Airlines.
8. It has already started earning some accolades
Less than three years in operation, Ibom Air is considered to be one of the best in the country. It is on this note that it received the award for Airline of the Year (Nigeria) in 2020. The award was presented to the airline by the African Travel Market (Akwaaba).
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9. It lifted over 500,000 passengers in 21 months
In the first 21 months of operation, the Akwa Ibom-owned airline claimed to have lifted more than 500 thousand passengers to its various local destinations. This feat was achieved in spite of the Covid-19 lockdown that lasted for more than 3 months.
10. The sustainability of the airline is still being questioned
Even though the state has already taken the bold step to start the airline and get 7 aircraft in its fleet thus far, with plans to add it to 10, there are worries in some quarters in regards to the sustainability of Ibom Air. This is because of things such as the cost of maintenance which is done in hard currency versus the earning which is in Naira.
When considering airlines such as Okada Air, Bellview Airlines, Harka Airline, Nigeria Airways, Chachangi Airlines, Triax Airlines, ADC Airlines, and Al Barka Air among many others in Nigeria that have since folded, questions are raised on the long-distant fate of the Akwa Ibom owned airline.
