“Ibom Air Has No Power To Bar Other Airlines” — Management Shuts Uyo Airport Monopoly Claims

Ibom Air has dismissed claims that it operates a monopoly at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, insisting that it has no authority to prevent other airlines from operating from the airport.

The airline, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the decision to authorise, regulate, suspend or otherwise permit an airline’s operations rests with the appropriate aviation regulatory authorities.

Responding to public commentary suggesting that Ibom Air, as the home-based carrier in Uyo, prevents other airlines from operating from the airport, the airline said: “Ibom Air has no authority, mandate or regulatory power to prevent another airline from operating from Uyo, or from any other airport in Nigeria.”

It explained that under Section 8(3) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, is responsible for the regulation of civil aviation in Nigeria.

The airline added that where an airline meets applicable regulatory and operational requirements and receives the necessary approvals, “another airline cannot simply be prevented from operating by Ibom Air.”

Ibom Air also sought to distinguish between an airline independently adjusting its operations and preventing another carrier from accessing an airport.

According to the airline, it has at various times temporarily suspended operations to destinations including Enugu and Calabar to allow for mandatory aircraft maintenance and other operational requirements.

“Such decisions are internal operational decisions and should not be interpreted as an attempt to create or maintain a monopoly,” it said.

The carrier further noted that operational constraints at airports could affect the number or frequency of flights without implying that a particular airline controls access.

It listed aircraft availability, fuel logistics, airport infrastructure, scheduling and regulatory requirements among factors that could influence airline operations.

Ibom Air said it welcomed competition, stressing that a healthy and competitive aviation environment would ultimately benefit passengers.

“More airlines operating from Uyo can mean more travel options for passengers, greater choice of schedules and fares, increased connectivity for Akwa Ibom and the wider South-South region, greater passenger traffic into the airport, and a stronger aviation ecosystem and destination economy,” it said.

The airline stressed that its status as the home-based carrier did not confer ownership or control of Victor Attah International Airport on it.

“As the home-based carrier, Ibom Air is proud to operate from Uyo, but being the home-based carrier does not confer ownership or control of the airport, nor does it give Ibom Air the power to determine which other airlines may operate there,” the statement said.