Ibom Air transitions from wet leased aircraft operations

In terms of its long-term fleet program, Ibom Air has announced that it is ending its wet leased aircraft operations.

This comes in the wake of the delivery of the Company’s brand-new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, the first of 10 ordered from Airbus in October 2021.

With the imminent entry into service of the A220, the ‘place holding’ work of the two wet-leased Airbus A320s now comes to an end.

Confirming the development, the Airline’s Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Mr George Uriesi declared “We resorted to wet leasing aircraft to meet the growing demand for our product, while we worked on our fleet growth program. Now with these aircraft being delivered, it is time for us to benefit from the significant operating efficiencies and enhanced service the A220-300 brings to the business”.

According to Uriesi, the A220 aircraft could not have come to Ibom Air at a better time, when the airline business in Nigeria badly needs operationally efficient aircraft that consume 25 percent less fuel than other aircraft in its category, while offering class leading comfort, safety and environmental friendliness.

The transition from the wet leased aircraft he said will result in a reduced flight schedule for a few weeks as the first two A220s are phased into service.

“We apologise in advance for any inconvenience our reduced schedule may cause as we transition into a period of better and stable all round service, with this new equipment.”

Earlier, Zenith Bank, Ibom Air and Airbus celebrated the successful closure of the commercial financing for Ibom Air’s first A220 delivered in November 2023. This historic collaboration also represents the bank’s commitment for aircraft financing.

The agreement between Ibom Air and Zenith Bank, which was initiated by Airbus, is part of a broader shift which could provide much-needed financial momentum and signal a new era of financial support for the continent’s promising aviation sector.