Ibom Air, the first commercial airline to be owned and operated by a State government in Nigeria and Africa, will begin full commercial operations on June 7, an official said.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Udom Emmanuel, Mr. Ekerete Udoh, made this known in a statement on Thursday.
Udoh said the airline, having fulfilled all the regulatory conditions and requirements, is certified fit to commence commercial operations, leading to the maiden flight billed for tomorrow, June 7th.
“It will maintain regular daily flights to both Lagos (MMA2) and Abuja respectively.
“The aircrafts in its fleet (Bombardier CRJ 900) have the distinction of being relatively new, all three, under 10 years old,” Udoh said.
He said the commencement of the commercial operations by Ibom Air had been celebrated by Akwa Ibomites and other Nigerians as a testament to the visionary leadership of Gov. Udom Emmanuel.
“The governor who seems determined to break conventional wisdom concerning things long thought to be impossible to achieve,” he said.
He noted that the development was Gov. Emmanuel’s avowed determination to open the three gateways to industrialisation-land, sea and air appears to be on course.
Ibom Airline represents one of the signature projects Governor Emmanuel’s first term in office.
The Ibom Air was launched on February 20 with three aircraft by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.