Nigeria’s Ibom Air orders ten A220s

16.11.2021 – 12:44 UTC

Ibom Air (QI, Uyo) has placed an order for ten A220s with Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) during the 2021 Dubai Air Show. The acquisition provisionally consists of three A220-300s and seven A220-100s although this is subject to change. According to Mfon Udom, the chief executive officer of Ibom Air, deliveries will begin in the first quarter of 2023.

Backed by the Nigerian state of Akwa Ibom, Ibom Air originally planned to focus its growth on the CRJ900LR of which it planned to acquire ten, Udom said. However, having inducted five of the type into service, all of which are leased from Falko Regional Aircraft, it saw the need for greater capacity jets to help build its Nigerian domestic network as well as foster future international growth. At that point, it decided to wet-lease in two A220-300s from EgyptAir (MS, Cairo Int’l) on year-long contracts in June to assess the aircraft for itself. With the jets having proven themselves both economically viable as well as popular with customers, the…

Editorial Comment: Adds delivery date as well as international network plans – 17.11.2021 – 08:44 UTC