Akwa Ibom State says its Aerotropolis vision at Victor Attah International Airport is not designed to give Ibom Air a monopoly, but to establish the airline as a base carrier while attracting more operators, expanding passenger choice and strengthening connectivity.
Commissioner for Aviation and Special Assistant to the Governor on Aviation, Uwem Ekane, said the state wants more airlines operating from the airport. He said Ibom Air’s role is to provide a strong operating base while other carriers expand passenger choice and connectivity.
“The allegation is unfounded. Ibom Air is a competition. You know, for an airport, for us, we want as many airlines as possible,” Ekane said.
The clarification comes as Akwa Ibom advances an ambitious Aerotropolis strategy around Victor Attah International Airport, linking airline operations with tourism, cargo, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), skills development and employment.
Aerotropolis vision goes beyond Ibom Air
Ekane described the state’s Aerotropolis ambition as an integrated aviation-led economic ecosystem.
“Let me use one word to describe all of that. Aerotropics. We’re creating a city within a city,” he said.
The plan goes beyond Ibom Air’s growing fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft. It seeks to use the airport as a platform for wider economic activity, including MRO, tourism, cargo and improved connectivity.
“We’re developing, like you said, the MRO, which will bring in that needed foreign exchange. We’re also improving connectivity,” Ekane said.
“We’re also boosting tourism. We’re also creating an employment opportunity for the teeming Akwa Ibomites. We also have cargo in view.”
He said the projects formed part of one broader development strategy centred on the airport.
“It’s an entire vision ecosystem that we want to turn to,” Ekane said.
Ibom Air positioned as anchor carrier
Ekane said Ibom Air’s position as a base carrier did not prevent other airlines from operating at Victor Attah International Airport.
“They’re a base carrier, and they’re there to provide the service. Imagine if we didn’t have one,” he said.
He rejected any suggestion that the state or Ibom Air was seeking to restrict competition.
“There’s no attempt by Ibom Air to… No, not at all,” Ekane said.
According to him, the state is already engaging other airlines, including Air Peace, ValueJet and Ethiopian Airlines.
“Air Peace should commence operations in September. They’ve requested, and we’ve made provision for them,” he said.
“We’re also talking to ValueJet. So we’re bringing in those airlines. We have reached out to other airlines.”
On Ethiopian Airlines, he said: “We’ve also reached out to them. So it’s unfounded. Ibom Air is an operator.”
The state’s approach is to use Ibom Air as an anchor carrier while encouraging other operators to expand the airport’s route network. More airlines would give passengers greater choice and improve connectivity.
Wider economic ecosystem planned
For the Aerotropolis strategy to succeed, Akwa Ibom is seeking to develop an ecosystem involving airlines, cargo operators, tourism businesses, MRO facilities and other aviation-related enterprises.
The MRO component is expected to generate foreign exchange and strengthen technical capacity, while improved air links could support tourism and trade. Cargo operations could also create opportunities for logistics and commercial development around the airport.
The strategy is intended to make Victor Attah International Airport more than a passenger facility. Increased airport activity could support hotels, logistics companies, cargo facilities and other businesses.
Ekane linked the development to Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to aviation.
“For a state that has put in so much in aviation, it goes to demonstrate His Excellency’s resolve in ensuring that the aviation ecosystem is improved upon,” he said.
Akwa Ibom’s strategy is therefore not to make Ibom Air the only airline at Victor Attah International Airport. Rather, the state sees the carrier as a base operator capable of anchoring a broader aviation market.
The Aerotropolis vision ultimately depends on attracting more airlines, developing cargo, tourism and MRO, and creating jobs around the airport.
