By Ayomide Otitoju
Ibom Air has dismissed claims that it exercises a monopoly over operations at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, or prevents other airlines from operating from the facility.
The clarification followed reports alleging that the airline dominates the Uyo-Abuja and Uyo-Lagos routes.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Ibom Airlines Limited said it has no authority or regulatory power to prevent another airline from operating from Uyo or any other airport in Nigeria.
The airline said such decisions rest with the relevant aviation regulatory authorities, citing Section 8(3) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022, which assigns the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority responsibility for regulating civil aviation in the country.
“Therefore, where an airline meets the applicable regulatory and operational requirements and receives the necessary approvals, another airline cannot simply be prevented from operating by Ibom Air,” the statement said.
Ibom Air also clarified that temporary suspension or adjustment of its own services should not be interpreted as an attempt to monopolise the market.
The airline said it had previously suspended flights to destinations including Enugu and Calabar to accommodate mandatory aircraft maintenance and other operational requirements.
It added that factors such as aircraft availability, fuel logistics, airport infrastructure, scheduling and regulatory requirements could affect the number or frequency of flights without implying that one airline controls access to an airport.
Ibom Air said it welcomes competition, noting that a competitive aviation environment would provide passengers with more travel options, greater choice of schedules and fares, improved connectivity and increased passenger traffic.
The airline also said increased competition could strengthen the aviation ecosystem and support the wider economy of Akwa Ibom and the South-South region.
“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 added.
