Ibom Air Expands Network with Seven African and Two Domestic Routes in 2023

Ibom Air, an airline based in Uyo, Nigeria, plans to add seven African and two domestic routes to its network starting in April 2023. The Chief Operations Officer, George Uriesi, told ch-aviation that the airline would phase in the regional flights starting from the first quarter of 2023. The seven new destinations include Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Liberia, Gabon, and Gambia. These destinations were chosen based on passenger numbers and the existing “unserved” or “underserved” markets.

According to Group Manager of Marketing and Communications, Aniekan Essienette, the airline had already mapped out plans for the regional routes. However, they had to meet domestic demand before expanding regionally. The airline is focused on growing and putting Akwa Ibom on the pedestal as a world-class African regional airline. Essienette added that flights to Gambia had been requested by the country’s Vice President, Isatou Touray.

The airline expects to receive delivery of ten in-house A220-300s from October 2023 to 2026. The first three units are expected between October 2023 and October 2024, with the remaining delivered every quarter. The airline chose the A220 aircraft due to its continental aspirations and payload on hot and high destinations like Johannesburg O.R. Tambo. Uriesi stated that Ibom Air has no plans for intercontinental flights. The airline currently serves six domestic destinations and its fleet consists of two A320-200s wet-leased from Lithuania’s GetJet Airlines and five CRJ900LRs. Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom state is a shareholder in the airline through the Ibom Investment Corporation.

The airline had to meet domestic demand before expanding regionally and aims to be a world-class African regional airline. The airline expects to receive ten A220-300s between October 2023 and 2026, with the first three units expected between October 2023 and October 2024.

Currently, Ibom Air serves six domestic destinations with a fleet of two A320-200s wet-leased from GetJet Airlines and five CRJ900LRs. Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom state is a shareholder in the airline through the Ibom Investment Corporation.