Airbus Updates No.3419

 Nigeria’s Ibom Air Takes Delivery Of Two Airbus A220s

Ibom Air has taken delivery of two Airbus A220 aircraft this month. These narrowbodies are on lease from EgyptAir and join the Nigerian airline’s five CRJ900 aircraft already in its fleet. The carrier is looking to grow with its state’s economy through the use of these planes.

Both aircraft (including SU-GFA pictured) were built less than two years ago, bringing down the age of Ibom Air’s fleet. Photo: Anna Zvereva via Wikimedia Commons

Young aircraft for a young airline

The two aircraft were formerly operated by Air Sinai on the outfit’s covert Tel Aviv routes. These deliveries mark two years of services for Ibom Air. The Akwa Ibom state government commenced operations with the carrier on June 7th, 2019, following a flight from Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo to Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Uniquely, this operator was the first state airline to be founded in Nigeria.

Ibom Air took delivery of three CRJ900s ahead of the launch of flights, which, according to ch-aviation, started to arrive from February 2019. Two more units of the regional jet were also delivered last year.

Now, the airline is looking to scale things up with two units of the praised A220. This aircraft has been receiving several accolades across the globe by airlines for its modern approach to short and medium-haul operations. Its high fuel efficiency and comfort are two of the factors that have left airlines such as SWISS, airBaltic, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, and Korean Air taking on the type.

The Airbus A220 has found several fans over the last few years, especially with airBaltic opting to hold an A220-only fleet. Photo: Getty Images.

A grand occasion

Umaru Fintiri, the governor of Adamawa state, was at the scene to mark the arrival of the new aircraft in Uyo. He shared that these moves are growing the overall aviation industry, and by extension, unlocking the economy of the country.

At the delivery press conference, Fintiri concluded the following:

“This is one airline that has been growing from number to number and from strength to strength.”

According to Radarbox.com, registration SU-GFD, the first A220-300 to arrive, left Cairo on June 5th to land in Lagos on the same day. Follow this, SU-GFA flew into the capital of Nigeria on June 11th. Both aircraft left for Uyo yesterday.