Nigerian domestic airline Ibom Air has placed a firm order with Airbus for ten A220 airliners. The A220 family are the smallest aircraft in the Airbus commercial aviation portfolio, being designed for the 100-passenger to 150-passenger market segment. Ibom Air is owned by the government of Akwa Ibom state, in south-east Nigeria. The contract was signed at the Dubai Airshow.

“As an organisation, we at Ibom Air are delighted with the steep growth we have achieved in just over two-and-a-half years since we commenced operations, a growth chiefly driven by the massive embrace of our product and brand by the Nigerian domestic flying public,” affirmed Ibom Air CEO Mfon Udom. “The addition of the A220 to our fleet will support our growth strategy and boost operational efficiency. It will also offer our passengers more space and enhanced cabin experience, as a value add for choosing us.”

Ibom Air already operates two A220s (acquired second-hand). The rest of its current fleet is composed of five Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets. Based at Akwa Ibom Airport at the state capital of Uyo, the airline currently links that city with five other Nigerian cities – Abuja, Calabar, Enugu, Lagos and Port Harcourt.

“The A220 will allow us to increase the number of annual passengers through Akwa Ibom Airport, in Uyo, thus bringing more first-time visitors and business travellers to the region,” highlighted Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel. “These efforts reflect our commitment to supporting local commerce and making a positive contribution to socioeconomic growth in Akwa Ibom state and Nigeria.”

The order for the new airliners will allow the airline to meet growing demand within Nigeria, including the opening of new routes. Further, it will permit the carrier to diversify into regional routes to West African destinations outside Nigeria, and then to add international routes to other African destinations beyond West Africa.

“We are thrilled to add Ibom Air as a new Airbus customer,” enthused Airbus chief commercial officer and head of International Christian Scherer. “The A220 is ideally suited to Nigeria’s aviation needs, providing operational flexibility to grow the business by responding to demand for increased passenger services. Through this investment, Ibom Air is underscoring its ambition for regional and in due course international connectivity and operational efficiency.”