Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umoh Enoh, on Friday, celebrated the success of Ibom Air, the state-owned airline, as it welcomed the first of ten Airbus A200-300 series aircraft.
The event, held at the airline’s headquarters, marked a significant milestone in the aviation sector within the state.
Governor Enoh commended the airline’s remarkable growth since its inception four years ago.
He acknowledged the visionary efforts of his predecessor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, in establishing Ibom Air, which began operations with two CRJ 900 Bombardier aircraft and expanded its fleet to seven, including two A220-300 Airbus series, making it the preferred choice for air travellers in Nigeria.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to the airline’s development, Enoh assured continued support, emphasizing the importance of government continuity in advancing projects.
He underscored ongoing investments in airport infrastructure, including the airside perimeter fencing, taxiway, terminal building, and other facilities to enhance Ibom Air’s operations.
The Governor praised Ibom Air’s management for steering the airline professionally and efficiently. He expressed pride in the airline’s accomplishments, highlighting its rapid expansion to major Nigerian cities and the recent launch of commercial operations to Accra, Ghana, with plans for further expansion across African regions.
Enoh also extended gratitude to Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo for pledging collaboration and acknowledged the support of political leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and former Governor Victor Attah, for their contributions to the state’s development.
His words: ”I want to commend and salute the Honorable Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, who had assured me, during my recent courtesy call on him, of his willingness to partner with us. I thank you, sir, for your kind assurance.
”Let me again thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for being a great father of the nation, and for engendering a spirit of bipartisan in our political engagements.
”Let me also thank the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, for his support in moving our state forward.
”Let me also commend and salute the father of modern Akwa Ibom State, Arc (Obong) Victor Attah, whom this airport is appropriately named after, for being the one who started the construction of this airport and mooted the idea for the construction of the MRO.”
He congratulated Ibom Air and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining and advancing the airline’s growth trajectory.
