Governor Eno Announces Aviation Village Plans as Ibom Air Expands Fleet with New Airbus A220-300 Aircraft

The government of Akwa Ibom State has recently acquired a brand new Airbus A220-300 series aircraft for its state-owned airline, Ibom Air.

Governor Umo Eno announced plans to establish an Aviation Village near the Victor Attah International Airport while receiving the new aircraft.

During a ceremony on Tuesday, the governor expressed that the progress and development of Ibom Air is something to be celebrated.

The governor also encouraged all Akwa Ibomites to always show gratitude to God for the existence of the airline.

The governor expressed his thoughts by saying, “We will always come together to celebrate progress, effort, loyalty, and devotion because Ibom Air is a source of pride for Akwa Ibom State.”

We are planning to expand the aviation ecosystem in Akwa Ibom by constructing an aviation village for aviation workers.

This estate will provide accommodation for them near the airport, as we are preparing to operate 24 hours a day.

The construction of the aviation village will begin in the next few weeks.

“We plan to build schools, hospitals, and other amenities in the housing estate so that our aviation staff can live near the airport.”

Looking back at the airline’s success story since it started five years ago, he mentioned that “Ibom Air is a great example of how government should run a business, and we plan to apply the same model to the state-owned specialist hospital in the near future.”

The governor emphasized the state government’s commitment to completing the maintenance, repairs, and overhaul hanger (MRO) and the new international terminal building.

The governor also shared plans to renovate the airport clinic to align with the updated international standards of the airport.

The speaker expressed admiration for the former governor and visionary behind the airline, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, commending his determination in establishing the airline despite facing significant criticism.

He mentioned that he faced numerous challenges similar to the ones we are currently encountering in certain important projects that we are implementing in the State.

However, he remained focused and undaunted. Today, even the harshest critics of this airline can be seen on board.

The airline, he mentioned, currently possesses seven aircraft, all of which are owned rather than leased.

He described this accomplishment as a result of a strong vision and focused leadership, qualities that every leader should aspire to embody.

The governor praised President Bola Tinubu for his dedication to supporting the state and its programs.

He expressed his admiration for all of our previous leaders.

The airport is rightfully named after His Excellency Arc. Obong Victor Attah and His Excellency Godswill Obot Akpabio, the Senate President of Nigeria, for their significant contributions in conceptualizing and constructing this airport and other facilities in the state.

Expressing unwavering support for the airline, he emphasized his government’s commitment to prioritize tourism and investment opportunities in the state, highlighting it as the preferred destination.

He expressed appreciation for the efforts of the security agencies, royal fathers, religious leaders, youths, and elders in maintaining peace in the state.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Captain Mfon Udom, and the Chairman of Ibom Air, Mr. ImoAbasi Jacob, expressed their satisfaction with the arrival of an additional A220-300 series Airbus to the fleet of Ibom Air.

They believe that this new addition will greatly enhance the efficiency of the airline’s flight schedule.

According to Captain Udom, the new aircraft will not only expand the routes of Ibom Air, but also enhance services on existing routes.

He expressed gratitude to the financial partners, Fidelity Bank and Union Bank, for their assistance in acquiring the new aircraft.

He mentioned that the new plane had distinct features compared to the ten previously ordered A220-300 series aircraft.

He also mentioned that once the remaining nine expected aircraft are delivered, the Airline will have a total of 11 A220 airplanes.

Additionally, Charles Nwoke, the Executive Director of Risk Management at Fidelity Bank, highlighted that Ibom Air’s commitment to schedule reliability and in-house inflight service enables it to compete favorably with international airlines.

Based on its strong reliability, Fidelity Bank is proud to offer support for the growth and expansion of the airline.

The governor of Akwa Ibom State deserves recognition for his significant contribution in sustaining the vision of Ibom Air.

Additionally, Union Bank should be acknowledged for their financial investment in the purchase of the plane.