The Akwa Ibom State Government has once again pledged its commitment to the full operation of the Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo and the expansion of the Ibom Air fleet.
Governor Umo Eno made the commitment in high-level meetings with SAMCO Group Europe and Airbus in Montreal, Canada, ahead of the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) of Ibom Air’s latest Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
These were to build the technical and maintenance capabilities needed to service Ibom Air’s growing fleet and to strengthen Akwa Ibom’s position in the aviation industry.
The Governor, Eno, met with the Chief Executive Officer of SAMCO Group Europe, Constant Van Shani, during which the two discussed a strategic partnership to manage and operate the MRO facility.
The administration was looking for a pragmatic partnership that would enhance the state’s aviation infrastructure, technical capabilities, skilled employment and build a sustainable local aviation workforce, he said.
“My administration has invested a lot of money into getting the MRO facility finished,” the Governor said. He remembered his team’s visit to SAMCO’s facility and said he was impressed with the company’s technical capabilities and operational standards.
He said the proposed relationship should go beyond the normal consultancy, with discussions on aircraft maintenance and technical support especially for the Ibom Air fleet as well as technical training, technology transfer and capacity building.
“Building indigenous aviation expertise will reduce our reliance on overseas maintenance facilities, strengthen the MRO at Victor Attah International Airport and create opportunities for highly skilled aviation professionals in Akwa Ibom”, Governor Eno said.
Van Shani responded by welcoming the Governor’s commitment to the proposed partnership.
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Governor, we are glad to know that you are ready to work with us. “We are here to get things done beyond consulting,” he said.
SAMCO Aviation Services B.V. is a Dutch aviation maintenance company. It is headquartered at Maastricht-Aachen Airport and specializes in the repair and maintenance of civil aircraft and aerospace equipment.
Eno also met with the Vise President of Sales for Africa of Airbus, Hadi Akoum, to thank the aircraft manufacturer for its partnership with Ibom Air and its efforts at ensuring the delivery of the new aircraft.
Governor Udom Emmanuel told Airbus that the Akwa Ibom State Government is still very committed to Ibom Air and described the airline as a strategic economic asset to the State.
He said Ibom Air remained at the core of the administration’s plans to expand tourism, connectivity, trade and investment, stressing that “it is a forex-denominated business, and airlines must be made to function.”
“The state will continue to make the necessary strategic investments to ensure the airline remained commercially viable, operationally strong and capable of supporting Akwa Ibom’s broader economic ambitions,” Governor Eno added.
For his part, Akoum described Ibom Air as a big Airbus customer in Africa and disclosed that the Airbus currently produces about 14 aircraft monthly with a production backlog of about 9,000 aircraft.
He also spoke about the A220-300’s capacity to carry around 120 passengers and its cargo capability.
The conversations highlighted the need for ongoing cooperation between Airbus, Ibom Air and the Akwa Ibom State Government as the airline expands its fleet and network.
