Determined to increase the number of aircraft in Ibom Air fleet, Akwa Ibom State Government has approved the immediate acquisition of two Bombardier C R J aircraft.
The approval was granted during the State Executive Council meeting for the month of August 2024, presided over by the Governor -in Council, Pastor Umo Eno, at the Government House, Uyo.
Briefing Government House correspondents after the meeting, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh, said the new two CRJ jets, just like the recently received Airbus 220-300 are not part of the aircraft ordered in 2021 out of which only one has so far been delivered.
He further explained that the need for the fleet expansion was due to Ibom Air's decision to cover some low- traffic routes that require slimmer, more economical aircraft than those used in heavy traffic routes like Uyo-Abuja -- Lagos.
According to him, "The Exco has approved plans by Ibom Air to immediately increase its fleet of aircraft with two C R J jets to consolidate its enviable position as the leading airline in Nigeria."
He stated that while Exco acknowledged the excellent performance of Ibom Air, the government urged the management of the airline not to rest on its oars but to continue to do more to consolidate and maintain its leading position.
The Commissioner added that the Governor-in-Council, having received briefings from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, has restated his administration's resolve to fulfill its campaign promises, in line with the ARISE Agenda.
The Governor, according to Udoh , directed the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Professor Eno Ibanga, to ensure that all contractors get set to return to site as the rains begin to recede.
Udoh disclosed that Council also approved new road construction contracts as part of efforts to boost economic growth of the state.
On Culture and Tourism, Udoh hinted that, "Exco received briefing on plans by the Ministry of Culture and tourism to increase in-bound footfall into the state in the Fourth quarter of the year in addition to the preliminary plans for another December to remember in Akwa Ibom, featuring Christmas Unplugged 2.0 and Christmas Carol season 17. "
