The first State-owned airline company in Nigeria, Ibom Air on Tuesday morning received two Airbus A320-200 to its fleet at the Victor Attah International Airport (VAIA), Uyo.
For the company’s Group Marketing Manager, the new members of the fleet are to increase capacity and meet customer’s high demand.
“This Airbus is meant for local flights, we will consider international flight in the future. We are set to meet up the challenge of satisfying the local traffic. It is Christmas we need all the capacity we can get.”
Airbus A320-200 that Ibom Air received on Tuesday 22nd November 2022 has its Year of Manufacture (YOM) in 2000 and worth about $20.65m (N8.849 billion) each. As at 31st October 2022, there were 10,563 of the Airbus series in circulation.
Beside the aircraft cost, Ibom Air must certainly spend on Maintenance Planning for the Airbus and Staff Training, like cabin crew, engineers and others for the new airbus, as well as secure firm certification like Import Inspection and other Air quality certification to operate this new type of aircraft on its fleet.
Airbus A320-200 is renowned to have a very quiet cabin with seat capacity ranging from 140 to 190 passengers. Airbus service ceiling ranges between 39,100 feet to 41,000 feet.
According Mr. Imo-abasi Jacob, Chairman of Board, Ibom Air, “it is exciting to add to the company’s fleet at such a difficult time in Nigeria.”
“How many airlines are flying in Nigeria? How many are receiving new aircrafts, this can only mean that God has blessed us to acquire asset at such a time in Nigeria.” The chairman said.
Recall Ibom Air commenced operations on the 7th of June 2019 with two Bombardier CRJ900 Aircrafts.
Three years after, Ibom Air has now progressed to having seven aircrafts on its young fleet.
