Today, 29 April, 2024 marked a new major milestone for Nigeria's Ibom Air as it commenced commercial operations with its brand-new Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
Piloted by Captains Arif Jana and Adebayo Odunsi, the inaugural flight, from Uyo to Lagos touched down at the Murtala Mohammed Airport at exactly 3:41pm local time.
Onboard the factory-fresh aircraft were important dignitaries, including the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno and 132 other passengers. Ibom Air is the first Nigerian airline to operate this aircraft type.
According to George Uriesi, Executive Director and COO, the certification process delayed the aircraft’s operations due to strict regulations by the NCAA and ICAO audits.
Uriesi mentioned,“You know it’s a new aeroplane in Nigeria. It’s new for us, new for the NCAA and ICAO was also auditing this period. The NCAA followed everything to the letter and we are happy for it also.
"It takes time to do and even after that the time it took to check out pilots took a bit. But they are done with their demo flights.
“Eventually, we are ready, thank God we have started today. We are looking at the aeroplane operating between Lagos and Abuja from tomorrow.
“Then the second aircraft is on its way. We expect it to come in between May and June. We are looking forward to a positive immediate future.
“Two new aeroplanes with a fleet of five CRJs and we’d be back to where we were before the wet leases and then we grow from there.” He said.
Operating flights QI515, QI516, and QI517, the A220-300’s schedule offers improved efficiency and passenger experience. With 120 economy and 12 business class seats, Ibom Air aims to enhance both domestic and regional flights.
In February 2024, Ibom Air terminated all wet leases, discontinuing its use of two A320s leased from a Lithuanian-based lessor, while transitioning to its own modern fleet.
It will be recalled that the aircraft with registration number 5N-CDA, arrived in Uyo on December 8, 2023, from Canada, marking the delivery of first of 10 A220s the airline ordered in November 2021.
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Wonderful event and topics discussed, hopefully we see the manifestations in our African airline businesses in the nearest future. Kudos to you all.
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