Eno reaffirms support for Ibom Air, Uyo maintenance, repair facility

Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has reiterated his administration's dedication to the fully functional Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, alongside ongoing support for the Ibom Air fleet expansion program. This commitment was declared in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, after high-level talks with SAMCO Group Europe and Airbus in Montreal, Canada.

The discussions centered around enhancing the technical and maintenance expertise essential for Ibom Air's growing fleet and fortifying Akwa Ibom's standing in the aviation sector.

Governor Eno expressed his readiness for practical collaborations that would bolster the state's aviation infrastructure, augment technical capabilities, generate skilled employment, and foster a robust local aviation workforce. He emphasized the administration's substantial financial investments in completing the MRO facility and highlighted a visit to SAMCO's facility, which impressed the team with the company's technical proficiency and operational standards.

SAMCO Aviation Services B.V., a Netherlands-based aviation maintenance firm with headquarters at Maastricht-Aachen Airport, is specialized in repairing and maintaining civil aircraft and aerospace equipment. Their Maastricht facility has also been utilized for the maintenance and inspection of Ibom Air aircraft, including the Airbus A220-300 fleet.

The company's expertise in supporting African airlines and developing local technical capabilities was highlighted by Eno as a means of decreasing reliance on overseas maintenance services, strengthening the MRO at Victor Attah International Airport, and creating opportunities for skilled aviation professionals in Akwa Ibom.

SAMCO CEO Constant Van Shani welcomed the governor's commitment to the proposed partnership, stating, "We are glad to know that you are willing to work with us. We are here to get it done beyond consulting." In another development, Governor Eno met with Hadi Akoum, Vice-President of Sales, Africa, at Airbus, expressing gratitude for Airbus's partnership with Ibom Air and its role in facilitating the delivery of new aircraft.

Eno assured Airbus of the state's unwavering commitment to Ibom Air, describing it as a crucial economic asset to Akwa Ibom. He underscored the airline's significance to the administration's plans to expand tourism, connectivity, trade, and investment, and its crucial role in generating foreign exchange. Akoum noted that Airbus is a major aircraft producer in Africa, with approximately 14 aircraft manufactured monthly and a production backlog of around 9,000 aircraft.

He also emphasized the A220-300's capabilities, including its passenger and cargo capacity, and stressed the importance of ongoing collaboration between Airbus, Ibom Air, and the Akwa Ibom State Government as the airline expands its fleet and network.