Ibom Air denies monopoly over operations of Victor Attah Airport

Ibom Air has dismissed claims that it exercises a monopoly over operations at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, or prevents other airlines from operating from the airport.

The airline, in a statement issued on Sunday, said it had no authority or regulatory power to prevent another carrier from operating from Uyo or any other airport in Nigeria.

Ibom Air explained that the authority to authorise, regulate, suspend or permit an airline’s operations rests with the appropriate aviation regulatory authorities. It cited Section 8(3) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022, which assigns responsibility for the regulation of civil aviation in Nigeria to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

“Ibom Air has no authority, mandate or regulatory power to prevent another airline from operating from Uyo, or from any other airport in Nigeria. The decision to authorise, regulate, suspend, or otherwise permit an airline’s operations rests with the appropriate aviation regulatory authorities,” the airline said.

The airline also clarified that its decision to suspend or adjust flights to certain destinations should not be interpreted as an attempt to create or maintain a monopoly. It said it had, at various times, temporarily suspended operations to destinations such as Enugu and Calabar to undertake mandatory aircraft maintenance and meet other operational requirements.

Ibom Air noted that factors including aircraft availability, fuel logistics, airport infrastructure, scheduling and regulatory requirements could affect the number or frequency of flights at an airport without implying that one airline controls access to the facility.

The airline said it welcomed competition, stressing that a healthy and competitive aviation environment would ultimately benefit passengers through increased travel options, greater choice of schedules and fares, improved connectivity and increased passenger traffic.

It added that as the home-based carrier, it was proud to operate from Uyo, but that its status did not confer ownership or control of Victor Attah International Airport or give it the power to determine which other airlines could operate from the airport.