Ibom Air Begins Commercial Operation To Lagos, Abuja and Uyo - Photos

The first commercial airline to be owned and operated by a state government in Nigeria and Africa, Ibom Air, will begin full commercial operations on June 7, an official said.

The Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Emmanuel, Mr. Ekerete Udoh, made this known in a statement on Thursday.

The airline, having fulfilled all the regulatory conditions and requirements, was certified fit to commence commercial operations, leading to the maiden flight billed for Friday, June 7th. “It will maintain regular daily flights to both Lagos (MMA2) and Abuja respectively, Udoh said.

Udoh said: “The aircraft in its fleet (Bombardier CRJ 900) has the distinction of being relatively new, all three, under 10 years old.”

He said the commencement of the commercial operations by Ibom Air had been celebrated by Akwa Ibomites and other Nigerians as a testament to the visionary leadership of Gov. Udom Emmanuel. “The governor who seems determined to break conventional wisdom concerning things long thought to be impossible to achieve,” he said.

He noted that the development was Gov. Emmanuel’s avowed determination to open the three gateways to industrialization-land, sea and air appears to be on course.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN recalled that Ibom Airline which represents one of the signature projects Gov. Emmanuel’s First Term. The Ibom Air was launched on Feb. 20th with three aircraft by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.