Ibom Air has rejected public claims that it exercises a monopoly over operations at Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo or prevents other airlines from operating from the airport.
The airline said it has no authority, mandate or regulatory power to prevent another carrier from operating from Uyo or any other Nigerian airport, with responsibility for authorising, regulating or suspending airline operations resting with the relevant aviation regulatory authorities.
Ibom Air referred to Section 8(3) of Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Act 2022, under which the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is responsible for regulating civil aviation in the country. It said that where an airline meets the applicable regulatory and operational requirements and receives the necessary approvals, Ibom Air cannot prevent that carrier from operating.
The airline also sought to distinguish between a carrier suspending or adjusting its own services and preventing another airline from operating.
Ibom Air said it has previously temporarily suspended services to destinations including Enugu and Calabar to accommodate mandatory aircraft maintenance and other operational requirements. It said these were internal operational decisions and should not be interpreted as attempts to create or maintain a monopoly.
According to the airline, aircraft availability, fuel logistics, airport infrastructure, scheduling and regulatory requirements can also affect the number or frequency of services at an airport without indicating that another airline controls access.
Ibom Air said it welcomes competition and considers a competitive aviation environment beneficial to passengers. It identified additional travel options, greater choice of schedules and fares, increased connectivity for Akwa Ibom and the wider South-South region, increased passenger traffic and a stronger aviation ecosystem among the potential benefits of more airlines operating from Uyo.
The carrier said its position as the home-based airline at Uyo does not confer ownership or control of Victor Attah International Airport or give it authority to determine which other airlines may operate there.
