CEM REPORT, AVIATION | Ibom Air has revealed plans to expand its operations to Central and West African countries.
The expansion, which comes a little over a year after the airline signed an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of 10 A220 aircraft to boost its fleet, will see the airline flying in seven African countries in April.
The group Manager, Marketing and Communication for Ibom Air, Anie Essienette, disclosed this while briefing reporters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
She listed the African countries covered under the planned regional flight expansion, to include Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Ghana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Gambia.
“Already, we have an invite to fly in Gambia but will commence regional operations in the next two months.
“Seven aircraft have been booked for international operations. They will be throughout 2023. As we speak, some experts have gone to inspect it to ensure that the aircraft are built to our specifications.
“Before the end of 2023, our aircraft will be delivered but the Airbuses will be supplied in tranches,” she explained.
The commercial airline owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government launched its maiden flight in June 2019 and has since been rated as one of the most successful airlines in Nigeria.
The airline won the best airline of the year award consecutively in 2020, 2021, and 2022, and is ranked the best airline by Travellers Awards.
The airline on 16 December 2022 recorded its 2 millionth passengers since it began commercial flight.