A new Bombardier CRJ900, with registration number 5N-BXO, has been unveiled as latest addition to the fleet of the Akwa Ibom State-owned airline, Ibom Air.
Unveiling the new aircraft, the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, expressed delight for the additional aircraft, saying that while others are battling with the doomsday occasioned by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Akwa Ibom people are celebrating expansion in their aviation business.
“On behalf of the government and people of Akwa Ibom State, including those in the diaspora, we appreciate God and everyone who has contributed in making this possible and we look forward to many more. …we welcome the latest in our fleet, registration number 5N-BXO, CoVID-19 compliant”, the Governor said
He commended the Management and staff of Ibom Air for their commitment and show of professionalism in the management of the Airline.
Governor Emmanuel announced the assumption of duty of Ibom Air’s first female pilot, Captain Ruth Adebanwo as pilot of the new aircraft.
“I want to most sincerely register my appreciation to the management team of Ibom Air. They’ve actually made us proud. I really want to thank them for their commitment and the professionalism they have displayed to make Ibom Air an airline to beat. It is an airline to beat anytime, anywhere”, Governor Emmanuel stated.
He described the accolades already trailing the excellent customer service in the state-owned Airline, maintaing that Ibom Air has already surpassed the customer satisfaction benchmark and is currently building customer enthusiasm as a stock in trade.
Speaking on recent development in the state aviation sector, he said that contractors have been mobilized to commence work on the MRO and other projects at the Victor Attah International Airport and assured of his administration’s commitment to making Akwa Ibom an aviation hub for Nigeria and West Africa.
He hinted that the new terminal is designed to meet the highest intelligent, smart standard and will rank with the internationally ranked terminals when completed.
He said , “When I came into office as Governor, i inherited just one private aircraft, but I thank God I will not leave office with anything less than eight to nine more aircrafts, so that people can see progress and I’m sure the person that will come after me will not leave office with less than twenty five aircrafts”.
Earlier, the Chairman, Ibom Airport Development Company Limited, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga rtd., commended Governor Emmanuel for his passion in the development of aviation sector in the state, adding that the governor has delivered on his promises to the people as captured in the completion agenda.
“…we still have MRO, we still have the cargo coming up, and we have the Ibom International Terminal we have so many things coming up at this airport, how else you could define progress, how else could you define governance more than what we are witnessing. Today we are going to unveil the 5th in the series of our aircraft”, he stated .
Nkanga assured that the Governor who is committed to his developmental drive will increase the number of fleets in the airline and announced that Calabar route has commenced while Ibom Air will be airborne from Enugu International Airport from 14th September.
The aircraft, CRJ 900 Bombardier which according to Nkanga , arrived Nigeria on 1st August and comes with high efficiency air filters that clears bacteria/viruses which makes the aircraft Covid-19 compliant.
Highpoint of the occasion was the dedication of the Airrcraft to God by Prelate Emeritus, Dr Sunday Mbang, Rev Dr Uma Ukpai alongside other men of God.