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Ibom Air Expands Fleet with New Airbus A220-300 Aircraft As Governor Eno Announces Aviation Village Plans
The Akwa Ibom State Government has received a new Airbus A220-300 series aircraft for the state-owned airline, the Ibom Air.
While receiving the new aircraft, Governor Umo Eno announced plans for the establishment of Aviation Village near the Victor Attah International Airport.
At a ceremony on Tuesday, the governor said the growth and expansion of Ibom Air, is worth celebrating and enjoined all Akwa Ibomites to always remain grateful to God for the airline.
In the governor’s words: “We will always gather to celebrate growth, hard work, commitment and dedication because Ibom Air is the pride of Akwa Ibom State.
“As part of our efforts to expand the aviation ecosystem in Akwa Ibom, we will, in the next few weeks, flag-off the construction of the aviation village for an estate that will accommodate aviation workers because they need to reside near the airport as we are planning to go on 24 hours operation.
“The housing estate will come with schools, hospitals and other amenities so that all of our aviation staff will live close to the airport.”
Reflecting on the success story of the airline since its inception five years ago, he added that, “Ibom Air remains a model of how best government should run business and we will soon use the same model in the state-owned specialist hospital.”
The governor said the state government is working towards ensuring the completion of the maintenance, repairs and overhaul hanger, MRO as well as the new international terminal building.
The governor also announced plans to remodel the airport clinic in line with the new international standard of the airport.
He paid glowing tributes to the immediate past governor and visioner of the airline business, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for his resilience in establishing the airline, despite the barrage of criticisms that trailed the vision.
He said: “He received a lot of attacks like we are receiving now in some of the strategic projects we are bringing to the State.
“But he (Udom Emmanuel) was focused and undaunted, today even the worst critic of this airline, I see them on this airline.”
The airline, he said, currently owns seven aircraft and none is leased, describing the feat as a product of vision and focus which every leader should strive to imbibe.
The governor commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to supporting the state and its programmes.
He said: “I salute all of our past leaders. His Excellency Arc. Obong Victor Attah that the airport is rightly named after and His Excellency Godswill Obot Akpabio, the Senate President of Nigeria for their pioneering roles in conceptualising and constructing this airport and other facilities we find today in the state.”
Promising to always remain supportive of the airline, he said his government will continue to place a premium on tourism and other investment opportunities in the state, saying the state is the destination of choice.
He commended the security agencies, the royal fathers and religious leaders, the youths and elders for the role in making the state to remain peaceful.