Akwa Ibom emerging biggest aviation hub in South-South, South-East

…Ibom Air acquires 10 additional aircraft

…Begins international flights on April 1st

Akwa Ibom State is already emerging Aviation hub in the entire South-South and South-East Regions of the Country following the acquisition of ten additional Airbus A220S by Ibom Air.

Ibom Air, is airline wholly owned by Akwa Ibom State Government which is expected to increase its capacity and routes to major domestic airports in the Country. This is coming on the heels of the approval by the Federal Government for the Victor Attah International Airport to begin international flights on April 1st, 2026 as declared by Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.

Currently flying to seven destinations within Nigeria and Ghana, Uyo, Accra, Abuja, Calabar, Enugu, Lagos and Port, Ibom Air operates nine aircraft, comprising seven BombardierCRJ-900S and two airbus A220-300S, the airline which is owned by ther Akwa Ibom State Government and has announced massive expansion after placing orders for ten additional Airbus A220S

The airline, which began flight operations in 2019 welcomed its 1,000,000th passenger on board in 2021, two years after it began operations and has since recorded remarkable progress in its passenger growth and is leading the commencement of international flights in April 2026 from the Victor Attah International Airport, a development which will significantly boost the airline’s revenue in addition to turning the State into an aviation hub.

According to Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Airport has gone ahead of schedule to a full-blown international airport.

The minister stated this after he had inspected facilities at the Airport. The facilities he had inspected included the newly-constructed international terminal, the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility among others.

The airline which projected a revenue of N150bn for 2025 after it recorded a revenue of N96bn in 2024 was expected to begin flight operations to new Africa destinations including Malaba, Doula and Sao Tome.

The airline is said to have recently entered into partnership with the interventionist agency, NIger Development Commission (NDDC) with a view to consolidating its position as the regional airline.

Quotin George Uriesi, Ibom Air Managing Director, the airline was described as having partnership that is strategic, meant to further strengthen its services.

“Though other airlines may likely emerge in future in the region, Ibom Air, which has the advantage of operating from an international airport, will continue to have an edge over competitors as a dominant share in the aviation sector as a regional carrier”, an expert said.