IBOM AIR REJECTS CLAIMS OF CONTROLLING UYO AIRPORT OPERATIONS

Ibom Air has dismissed allegations that it operates a monopoly at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo or deliberately prevents other airlines from serving the Akwa Ibom State capital.

The airline issued the clarification following reports and public comments suggesting that its strong presence on the Uyo–Abuja and Uyo–Lagos routes amounted to market domination or restricted competition at the airport.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Ibom Air said it does not have the authority or regulatory power to determine which airlines are permitted to operate from Uyo or any other airport in Nigeria.

The airline explained that the responsibility for approving, regulating, suspending or otherwise authorising airline operations rests with the relevant aviation regulatory authorities.

Ibom Air specifically cited Section 8(3) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022, which gives the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority responsibility for regulating civil aviation in the country.

According to the airline, any carrier that satisfies the necessary regulatory and operational requirements and obtains the required approvals cannot simply be prevented from operating from Uyo by Ibom Air.

The company also addressed concerns surrounding periods when it suspended or adjusted some of its own routes.

Ibom Air explained that it had temporarily suspended services to destinations such as Enugu and Calabar at different times because of mandatory aircraft maintenance and other operational requirements.

It stressed that decisions affecting its own flight schedules should not be interpreted as attempts to create or preserve a monopoly.

The airline further pointed out that several operational factors can influence the number and frequency of flights at an airport. These include aircraft availability, fuel logistics, airport infrastructure, scheduling considerations and regulatory requirements.

Ibom Air maintained that such factors should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that one airline controls access to an airport.

The carrier also rejected the suggestion that its status as the home-based airline in Uyo gives it control over Victor Attah International Airport.

It explained that being based in Akwa Ibom does not give the airline ownership of the airport or the authority to decide which other carriers can operate there.

Ibom Air said it actually welcomes competition and believes that having more airlines serving Uyo would ultimately benefit passengers and the wider regional economy.

According to the airline, increased competition could give travellers more choices in terms of airlines, flight schedules and fares.

It added that the presence of more carriers could also improve connectivity for Akwa Ibom and the wider South-South region while increasing passenger traffic through the airport.

Ibom Air further argued that a more competitive aviation environment would strengthen the local aviation ecosystem and contribute to the development of the destination economy.

The controversy comes as Ibom Air continues to expand its operations from Uyo, where it has established itself as the state's home-based carrier.

The airline's growing presence on major routes has generated discussion about competition and market concentration, particularly on the Uyo–Lagos and Uyo–Abuja corridors.

Ibom Air, however, maintained that its market position should not be confused with regulatory control of the airport.

The company reiterated that any airline capable of meeting the required regulatory and operational standards should be able to seek approval to operate from Uyo.

It therefore urged members of the public to distinguish between an airline's commercial decisions and the regulatory authority responsible for determining access to Nigeria's airports.

The airline said a competitive aviation sector would provide greater benefits for passengers while contributing to stronger connectivity and economic activity across Akwa Ibom and the South-South region.