Nigeria’s Ibom Air Welcomes First A220-300 to Fleet

In a historic moment for Nigerian aviation, Ibom Air (QI, Uyo) has officially received the first of its eagerly awaited A220-300 aircraft. The delivery ceremony took place at Montréal Mirabel on November 24, 2023, marking the beginning of a transformative phase for the airline.

The newly acquired aircraft, registered as 5N-CDA (msn unknown), has already been adorned with Ibom Air’s distinctive livery. While currently stationed in Canada, the airline has yet to provide details regarding the ferry flight timeline and the aircraft’s entry into service, despite inquiries from ch-aviation.

Anticipation surrounds the arrival of two more A220-300s expected by October 2024, with the remaining seven set to join Ibom Air’s fleet at a later date. This strategic expansion aligns with the carrier’s commitment to enhancing its services and presence in the Nigerian and regional markets.

Ibom Air’s decision to invest in the A220-300 comes after successfully operating two units of the type on a wet lease from EgyptAir (MS, Cairo International) between June 2021 and June 2022. The positive outcomes of this trial period prompted the airline to place a firm order for ten A220s in November 2021. Originally covering seven A220-100s and three -300s, the order was later revised to exclusively include the larger A220-300 variant.

Presently, Ibom Air’s fleet consists of five CRJ900s and two A320-200 aircraft, the latter on a long-term wet lease from Airhub Airlines and GetJet Airlines Latvia, as indicated by the ch-aviation fleets advanced module. The addition of the A220-300 marks a significant leap forward for Ibom Air, enhancing its operational capabilities and signaling its commitment to providing top-tier air travel services.