Today, April 29th, 2024, Ibom Air launched its Airbus A220-300 for commercial service, connecting Uyo to Lagos. The aircraft, registered as 5N-CDA, arrived in Uyo on December 8, 2023, from Canada, marking the first of ten ordered in November 2021.
With Governor Umo Eno and 132 passengers onboard, the A220 landed at Lagos Murtala Muhammed Airport at 3:45 pm, piloted by Captains Arif Jana and Adebayo Odunsi. According to George Uriesi, Executive Director and COO, the certification process delayed the aircraft’s operations due to strict regulations by the NCAA and ICAO audits.
Uriesi mentioned,“You know it’s a new aeroplane in Nigeria. It’s new for us, new for the NCAA and ICAO was also auditing this period. The NCAA followed everything to the letter and we are happy for it also.
‘It takes time to do and even after that the time it took to check out pilots took a bit. But they are done with their demo flights.
“Eventually, we are ready, thank God we have started today. We are looking at the aeroplane operating between Lagos and Abuja from tomorrow.
“Then the second aircraft is on its way. We expect it to come in between May and June. We are looking forward to a positive immediate future.
“Two new aeroplanes with a fleet of five CRJs and we’d be back to where we were before the wet leases and then we grow from there.” He said.
Operating under flight numbers QI515, QI516, and QI517, the A220’s schedule offers improved efficiency and passenger experience. With 120 economy and 12 business class seats, Ibom Air aims to enhance both domestic and regional flights.
In February 2024, Ibom Air terminated all wet leases, discontinuing its use of two A320s leased from a Lithuanian-based lessor, while transitioning to its own modern fleet.
