The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, on Thursday August 13, 2026 led top government officials and the management of Ibom Air to the pre delivery inspection of the airline third Airbus A220-300 aircraft production facility in Mirabel, Canada
According to a statement signed on Friday August 14th, 2026 by Ibom Air Group Manager, Marketing and Communication, Aniekan Essienette, the visit marks a major milestone in the Airlines fleet expansion and modernization plan which forms part of the formal delivery and reception acceptance process before the aircraft is ferried to Nigeria and deployed into commercial service.
It was disclosed that the aircraft is the second to be delivered under the airline’s firm order for ten Airbus A220 aircraft signed in 2021. With this addition, Ibom Air will now operate three A220-300s alongside seven Bombardier CRJ900s, bringing its total fleet to 10 aircraft. The airline currently serves seven domestic destinations in Nigeria and Accra, Ghana.
Speaking during the inspection, the Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi, described the event as a critical step in the carrier’s growth strategy.
“This pre-delivery inspection represents an important milestone in our fleet expansion programme and brings us one step closer to welcoming this aircraft to Nigeria,” Uriesi said.
“As demand for air travel continues to grow across our markets, we remain focused on investing in modern aircraft that deliver superior operational efficiency, reliability, safety, and passenger comfort.
The Airbus A220 continues to be the ideal aircraft for our network strategy, and we look forward to deploying this latest addition into our network in furtherance of our growth objectives.”
Aside that, Governor Umo Eno, who led the state delegation, said the investment aligns with his administration’s ARISE Agenda and the vision to position Akwa Ibom as a leading aviation hub in West Africa.
“The inspection of this aircraft reflects the State Government’s commitment to the continued growth of Ibom Air as a strategic asset for Akwa Ibom State,” the Governor stated.
“This investment aligns with the ARISE Agenda and our vision of establishing Akwa Ibom as a leading aviation hub, supported by world-class infrastructure and a modern airline.
We look forward to formally receiving this aircraft in Akwa Ibom State and to the economic opportunities that enhanced connectivity will create for trade, tourism, investment, and regional development.”
Ibom Air Highlights Benefits of New Airbus A220-300
The statement also.revealed that, the Governor was received alongside his delegation by Guillaume Chevasson, Head of the A220 Programme and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Canada, who conducted the team through the inspection process.
Chevasson Commended Ibom Air’s commitment to the A220 family, noting that the aircraft type was chosen for its performance on both domestic and regional routes.
“We are honoured by Ibom Air’s trust in Airbus and the A220 Family,” he said.
“The A220 is the ideal aircraft for the airline’s fleet modernisation, thanks to its exceptional operational flexibility, fuel efficiency, passenger comfort, and performance across domestic and regional networks, and we look forward to supporting Ibom Air’s continued growth for many years to come.”
The A220-300 is globally recognized for its advanced aerodynamics, up to 25% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft, a spacious 2-3 cabin layout, and reduced noise footprint. These features, Ibom Air said, will further enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
Upon completion of final documentation and delivery processes in Canada, the aircraft will be ferried to Nigeria. An official reception ceremony is planned in Akwa Ibom State before the jet enters commercial operations on Ibom Air’s growing network.
The airline noted that the new aircraft incorporates upgrades that support continuous improvement in safety, reliability, and passenger comfort.
Ibom Airlines Limited is wholly owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government. The carrier was established to set the standard for schedule reliability, on-time performance, and excellent service in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Since commencing operations, Ibom Air has built a reputation as one of Africa’s fastest-growing airlines. A standard has been set to ensure that the airline is of choice for passengers by focusing on its schedule network reliability which covers Lagos, Abuja, Uyo, Calabar, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Kano and Accra.
Travellers are encouraged to visit http://www.ibomair.com for route details and bookings and for media inquiries: mediarelations@ibomair.com
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