Ibom Air Expands Fleet with New Airbus A220-300

Ibom Air has unveiled the acquisition of a new Airbus A220-300, marking a strategic move to enhance capacity and meet rising demand, according to Aniekan Essienette, General Manager for Marketing and Communication at Ibom Air. The announcement was made in a statement released on Friday.

Owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government, Ibom Air’s latest addition reflects its commitment to broadening service offerings. Essienette highlighted, “The procurement, sourced from Carlyle Aviation, underscores the airline’s dedication to expanding its operations.”

“In October 2021, Ibom Air placed a firm order for ten Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with the initial delivery in November 2023. However, due to escalating demand for our services, we’ve expedited our expansion plans,” he explained.

“The decision to acquire this A220 from Carlyle Aviation, a renowned global lessor, exemplifies our strategic growth approach,” Essienette added.

Earlier in February, Ibom Air terminated its wet lease operations, signaling a significant operational shift. Essienette emphasized, “The imminent deployment of Ibom Air’s newly acquired A220-300 signifies the airline’s departure from temporary leasing arrangements.”

The acquisition event took place at Maastricht Airport in the Netherlands and was graced by His Excellency Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, alongside dignitaries including Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, and Chief Whip of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Effiong Johnson.

The executive team of Ibom Air, including CEO Mfon Udom and COO George Uriesi, also attended, underscoring the airline’s robust leadership and strategic vision.

“With this latest addition, Ibom Air’s fleet of A220s will grow to 11, following the delivery of the remaining nine units. It is noteworthy that Nigerian banks continue to play a crucial role in aircraft financing,” Essienette highlighted.

“This acquisition was financed by Fidelity and Union Banks, with Fidelity serving as the lead financier. Ibom Air is pleased to have the support of Nigerian financial institutions in driving its growth trajectory,” the statement concluded.