By ETIM ETIM
Nigeria’s biggest airline, Air Peace, is set to return to Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, this weekend, three years after it suspended flight operations there. The break was due to the inability of the airline to break Ibom Air’s dominance on the Uyo-Abuja and Uyo-Lagos routes.
Ibom Air is a wholly owned by the Akwa Ibom State government and commanded huge customer loyalty since its founding in 2019. Customers are largely impressed by its high on-time takeoff records and impressive service.
The return of Air Peace to Akwa Ibom will provide passengers enough opportunities this Christmas season which usually sees huge passenger volume.
Victor Attah International Airport opened for Air traffic opening 2009 when the first aircraft, operates by Arik Air landed on September 23.
Since then, the airport which also serves passengers going to Abia and Imo, has recorded tremendous increase in traffic.
For example, in the three years between 2023 and September 2026, the airport recorded more than 1.38 million domestic passengers. Ibom Air in its part has carried five million passengers since inception, underscoring Akwa Ibom State’s growing aviation capacity.
Of the 1,380,000 passengers, 1,998 were international passengers that used the airport between May and September 2026.
A major milestone was achieved on May 2, 2026, when the airport commenced international operations with Ibom Air’s inaugural flight from Uyo to Accra, Ghana. Ibom Air subsequently commenced domestic operations from the International Smart Terminal in June. The return of Air Peace should increase passenger volume and enhance efficiency.
The state government says its huge investments in aviation are expected to boost tourism, trade, investment and employment while strengthening Akwa Ibom’s position as an emerging aviation hub.
Ibom Air has operated 65,152 scheduled flights and carried 4,953,512 passengers across its network as of September 2026.
Its fleet comprises 10 aircraft, including five acquired under the present administration.
The airline serves seven domestic destinations and Accra, Ghana, and projects crossing the five-million-passenger mark by the end of October.
Plans are also underway to expand its domestic and international routes in 2027.
To attract more operators, the state government has invited ValueJet to commence scheduled services, with details of routes and flight frequencies expected to be announced after necessary arrangements are concluded.
The state government’s investments in airport infrastructure, including the International Smart Terminal, access roads, car parks, aircraft apron, taxiways, VIP lounges, perimeter fencing and security systems, hospital and staff residential estate have positioned the state as a modern aviation hub. Passengers at the new terminal building are impressed by the high-speed internet connectivity.
Ibom Air has 753 full-time employees as of August 31, 2026, with 478, representing about 64 per cent, being indigenes of Akwa Ibom State.
The government is also investing in aviation skills development. Fourteen Akwa Ibom pilots have been trained at the Airbus Flight Training Academy in France, while 16 aircraft engineers and 10 flight dispatchers have received specialised training. Another 10 indigenes are undergoing cadet pilot training in Ethiopia.
Meanwhile, the first phase of the Ibom Aviation Village, comprising 128 residential apartments on approximately 15 hectares, is nearing completion. A second phase is planned to provide an additional 100 housing units.
The state is also pursuing plans for an aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility, which is expected to reduce reliance on overseas maintenance services and create skilled jobs. However, the project remains under development.
Other proposed initiatives include improvements to the airport’s power infrastructure and the development of an airport hospital to strengthen emergency response and medical services.
The Ministry says it will continue to pursue airline partnerships, private-sector investment and aviation training to expand connectivity and maximise the economic benefits of the sector.
The government’s broader objective is to transform aviation into a major driver of tourism, commerce and job creation under the ARISE Agenda.
ETIM ETIM is a veteran journalist and PR professional with over 35 years of cognate experience.
He is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Policy & Politics (www.policyandpolitics.com.ng), an online newspaper dedicated to insightful analysis of Nigerian news and world’s report. He is also a columnist with BusinessDay and The Cable and is a regular contributor to other newspapers.
Contact: +234802 3159969 (WhatsApp Only)
