Ibom Air denies monopoly over Uyo airport, says it lacks authority

Ibom Air has denied claims of monopolizing Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, stating it lacks the authority to hinder other airlines from operating from the airport. This denial came in a statement released on Monday, following public speculation that the airline's dominance at the airport was due to its position as the home-based carrier for Uyo.

Ibom Air emphasized that the power to approve, regulate, suspend, or permit airline operations lies with the appropriate aviation regulatory bodies, not the airline itself. The airline cited Section 8(3) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022, which places responsibility for regulating civil aviation in Nigeria with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Ibom Air stated that airlines adhering to regulatory and operational standards and obtaining the required approvals should not face restrictions from Ibom Air in operating from Uyo. The airline also dismissed allegations that alterations to its flight schedules were aimed at restricting competition. It explained that prior suspensions of services to destinations like Enugu and Calabar were due to mandatory aircraft maintenance and other operational requirements, which are necessary for the airline's own operations and should not be misconstrued as attempts to establish or preserve a monopoly at the airport.

Ibom Air argued that more airlines in the Uyo route could enhance travel options and schedules for passengers while improving connectivity to Akwa Ibom and the broader South-South region. The concerns over Ibom Air's control over the Uyo route are not new, as reports from 2021 suggested that the limited presence of competing airlines led to higher fares and fewer scheduling options for passengers.

Industry stakeholders also noted that although limited competition might restrict consumer choice, the absence of other operators could also be a result of insufficient traffic to support multiple airlines. Victor Attah International Airport, opened in 2009 and renamed in 2018 in honor of former Akwa Ibom State Governor Victor Attah, has been subject to various developments by the Akwa Ibom State Government, including the construction of a Multi-Engine Repair (MRO) facility, though the project remains unfinished.