The Akwa Ibom State-owned airline has presented the first of ten Airbus A220-300 aircraft ordered from aircraft manufacturer Airbus at the 2021 Dubai Airshow as part of its expansion plans.

The immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Mr Udom Emmanuel, the CEO of Ibom Air, Mr Mfon Udom, and the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Mr George Uriesi were all present at the handover ceremony at Airbus' Mirabel facilities in Canada.

Benoît Schultz, President and CEO of Airbus Canada; Daniel Wenninger, Head of the A220 Programme Office; and Marc Arpin, Head of A220 Customer Line, Airbus Canada were on hand to perform the handover.

Mr Mfon Udom, the Chief Executive Officer, commented on the development, expressing his excitement for the arrival of the Airbus A220-300.

He said: “The introduction of the Airbus A220-300 to our fleet is a game-changing leap forward for Ibom Air. The decision to invest in a fleet of highly efficient brand-new aircraft to power our growth plans underscores our determination to offer no less than world-class airline services to our valued customers.

“As Ibom Air continues on its growth trajectory, passengers can anticipate a superior travel experience characterized by world-class onboard services, enhanced schedule reliability, and more punctual departures.

“Ibom Air remains dedicated to providing unparalleled air travel experiences as it enters this new phase of expansion and service excellence.”

The Airbus A220-300 is at the cutting edge of modern aviation technology, earning worldwide acclaim for its revolutionary fuel efficiency, cutting-edge technology, and first-rate passenger comfort and safety features. With a range of up to 7 hours (up to 3,450 nm) and adaptability for short and medium-haul commercial operations, the addition of the Airbus A220-300 to Ibom Air's fleet positions the airline for expanded service across the African continent.

Ibom Air operates seven aircraft, five (5) Bombardier CRJ 900s and two (2) Airbus A320s, serving eight (8) destinations. In line with its expansion plans, Ibom Air placed a firm order for ten (10) Airbus A220s, with the first delivery scheduled for November 2023.