The Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated two new Airbus A320-200 for Ibom Air to signal the commencement of regional flights.
Speaking on Tuesday in Uyo at the inauguration of the aircraft acquired by the Akwa Ibom State government at the Victor Attah International Airport, Obaseki applauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for his significant strides in the aviation sector.
He mentioned Akwa Ibom as a flagship state in the country for its effort to invest and expand in a sector which, according to him, Nigeria as the biggest country in Africa could not successfully run.
“Even Nigeria as biggest country in Africa cannot run an aviation sector successfully. Ibom Air is always fully booked. Let me thank you on behalf of Nigerians. Don’t be deterred by insult, focus on your goal,” he said.
While handing over the aircraft to Ibom Air, Emmanuel said the acquisition of the two airbuses was in response to the demands of the season and would boost employment opportunities by 40 per cent.
In his welcome remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ibom Airlines Limited, Captain Mfon Udom, said the airline would commence regional flights from 2023.
On his part, the Chief Operating Officer, Mr George Uries, said the two aircraft, which arrived over the weekend, were procured from GetJet Airlines UAB (operating as GETJET), a European aircraft leasing company, on a one-year wet-lease agreement.
