More than 300,000 passengers have been airlifted by Ibom Airlines Limited since its inception last year, the Group Manager, Marketing and Communications of the Airline, Mrs. Aniekan Essienette, has said.
The airline also said it has contributed more than one billion naira directly and indirectly to the economy of Akwa Ibom people through vendors and suppliers within the period.
Essienette told our correspondents in Uyo on Tuesday that the airline would continue to play its role as a key vehicle for the economic development and growth of Akwa Ibom state.
According to him, the 300,000 passengers included the COVID-19 lockdown period when there were no flights for more than four months.
“We want to be to Akwa Ibom state, what Emirates Airlines is to Dubai and what Ethiopian Airlines is to Ethiopia. I believe we can achieve this with your continued support and those of the good people of Akwa Ibom state.
“In line with this aspiration, just in 2019 alone (our first year of operation), Ibom Air’s direct and indirect impact on Akwa Ibom’s livelihood and businesses amounted to over One Billion Naira.
” This is in addition to the employment of indigenes of Akwa Ibom not just in low and entry level to senior positions, but in the very highly skilled aviation professions of Piloting, Cabin Crew and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.
” As a matter of fact, 17 young indigenous trainee maintenance engineers have qualified or are on the verge of being qualified as Bombardier CRJ 900 Aircraft Engineers.” She stated.
She said Ibom Air has within a short time become a model brand in the aviation industry and would build on recent successes to improve and expand.
“Since the 7th of June 2019 when Ibom Air commenced operations as a bold new idea with 3 Aircraft, now you can say that we are the “new kid on the block” and the whole nation has stood up and taken notice of what we have brought to the table.
“18 months down the line, Ibom Air currently boasts a fleet of five bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft (the youngest airline fleet in the country) and currently covers 5 destinations: Uyo, Lagos, Abuja, Calabar and Enugu, with an unmatched record of schedule reliability and on-time departure performance.
“In 2021, we shall be expanding to other routes which we would announce in due course.” Essienette said.
She said that the Airline, 100% owned by Akwa Ibom State government currently has 200 staff including indigenes in its employ and plan to employ more as they expand.
Also responding to some questions, Director of Airline Services Ms Amaka Echetabu said that perceived delays in take off of flights were due to factors outside their control but insisted that the company would not compromise on safety.
Echetabu said the Airline’s trusted maintenance team has continued to conduct in-house maintenance as there has been no need for outside maintenance and would continue to train indigenes too to take over the maintenance of the aircraft.
The Director said for now they would continue to concentrate on improving its domestic dominance, and plans to go international would be strategic when plans for larger aircraft are finalised.
