Ibom Air

Ibom Air
IATA ICAO Call sign
QI IAN IBOM
Founded2019
Commenced operations7 June 2019 (2019-06-07)
HubsAkwa Ibom Airport
Focus citiesUyo, Lagos, Abuja, Calabar, Enugu, Port Harcourt
Frequent-flyer programIbom Flyer
Fleet size9
Destinations7
Websitewww.ibomair.com

Ibom Air is a Nigerian airline owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government. The airline flies domestically and regionally. Commercial flights started on 7 June 2019.[1]

History

The airline commenced operations on 7 June 2019 when a Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft marked with the Ibom Air name took off from Victor Attah International Airport (IATA: QUO), Uyo, with government officials on board, en route to Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Akwa Ibom is the first state in the country to own an airline.[2]

In May 2021, the airline also signed Nigeria's first domestic codeshare agreement, with another airline, Dana Air. Dana Air COO, Obi Mbanuzuo said the agreement is "the first of its kind for domestic airlines in Nigeria". Mbanuzuo added: "We do hope that this partnership... will set a positive precedent for the greater good of the industry".[3]

In April 2023, the Ibom Air was awarded the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Certificate, and officially joined IATA in August that year.[4][5]

Destinations

Country City Airport Notes
Ghana Accra Accra International Airport Regional
Nigeria Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Focus city
Calabar Margaret Ekpo International Airport Local
Enugu Akanu Ibiam International Airport Local
Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport Focus city
Port Harcourt Port Harcourt International Airport Local
Uyo Victor Attah International Airport Hub[6]

Interline agreements

Fleet

As of August 2025, Ibom Air operates the following aircraft:[8]

Aircraft In fleet Orders Notes
Airbus A220-300 2 [9][10]
Bombardier CRJ900 5 [11]
Total 7 [12]

The Ibom Air fleet previously consisted of:

1 further Airbus A220-300 (Leased from EgyptAir)

4 Airbus A320-200 (Leased from Getjet airlines, Getjet Airlines Latvia, and Airhub Airlines)[13]

In August 2024, the airline received its second Airbus A220-300 which was acquired from Carlyle Aviation.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ Patrick Odey (8 June 2024). "Ibom Air Begins Commercial Operations". The Punch. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  2. ^ Etim Etim (1 July 2019). "The Dark Side of Ibom Air". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigerian. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  3. ^ CAPA (23 May 2021). "Dana Air and Ibom Air Sign Nigeria's First Domestic Codeshare Agreement". Center For Aviation (CAPA). Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  4. ^ ABJ (18 August 2023). Monday, Ukoba (ed.). "Ibom Air & CemAir Amongst 11 Airlines To Join IATA In 2023". Aviation Business Journal (ABJ). Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  5. ^ Afrviator (22 August 2023). "Ibom Air Becomes IATA Member". Afrviator.org. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  6. ^ Success Nwanedo (9 February 2024). "Ibom Air Begins Commercial Flight To Bayelsa". The Port City News. Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  7. ^ "All Partner Airlines".
  8. ^ "Global Airline Guide 2025 - Ibom Air". Airliner World. September 2025. p. 69.
  9. ^ Airbus (16 November 2021). "Nigerian Ibom Air Purchases Ten Airbus A220 Aircraft". Airbus.com. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  10. ^ Cletus Ukpong (11 July 2024). "Nigeria: Governor Eno in Netherlands, Inspects New Aircraft for Ibom Air" (via AllAfrica.com). Premium Times. Abuja, Nigeria. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Ibom Air Welcomes Second Airbus A220-300 to Its Fleet – Ibom Air". 20 August 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  12. ^ Premium Times https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/south-south-regional/751256-eno-receives-two-new-aircraft-for-ibom-air.html?tztc=1. Retrieved 1 October 2025. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ^ "Ibom Air Ceases Wetleased Aircraft Operations | Aviation News Online". | Aviation News Ltd. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  14. ^ "Ibom Air Welcomes Second Airbus A220-300 to Its Fleet – Ibom Air". 20 August 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2025.


04°52′43″N 08°05′30″E / 4.87861°N 8.09167°E / 4.87861; 8.09167