Ibom Air signs deal to acquire 10 new A220 aircraft

Nigerian leading domestic carrier Ibom Air, on Tuesday disclosed that it has placed orders for the purchase of 10 A220 aircraft with European manufacturer, Airbus at the ongoing Dubai Air show, taking place at the purpose built DWC event arena in Dubai.

The agreement which was signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, Mr Mfon Udom and Chief Commercial Officer of Airbus, Mr Christian Scherer was witnessed by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Uko Udom, SAN, and the Chairman of Ibom Air, Mr Imoabasi Jacob.

Others include the Chief Operating Officer, Mr George Uriesi, the Group Manager Marketing and communication, Mrs Aniekan Essienette and the Group Manager Corporate Services, Mrs Imelda Aba.

Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom state said the agreement was signed to boost an enduring business strategic relationship between Akwa Ibom state government, Ibom Air and Airbus. In his words: “I was just talking to the top management of Airbus that they should see our partnership in a different light. That we are trying to build something which we (inaudible) put the seeds of it in the ground, but that we will also water and tomorrow we’re going to have the forest.”

The plane maker’s pre-pandemic price list is valued at some 810 million US dollars, though large aircraft purchases are typically deeply discounted.

“What we’re doing today with these additional aircrafts, we hope to expand our dominance of the aviation industry in Nigeria and commence operations to the rest of Africa” said Governor Udom.