Ibom Air has denied reports 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’s clarification followed reports alleging that it had a dominant position on the Uyo-Abuja and Uyo-Lagos routes.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Ibom Airlines Limited said it had no authority or regulatory power to stop another airline from operating from Uyo or any other airport in Nigeria.
According to the airline, decisions concerning the approval, regulation, suspension or authorization of airline operations rest with the appropriate aviation regulatory authorities.
Ibom Air cited Section 8(3) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022, which it said places regulatory responsibility for civil aviation in Nigeria with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“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.
The airline also explained that previous temporary suspensions of some of its routes should not be interpreted as attempts to create or maintain a monopoly.
“It is important to distinguish between an airline choosing to suspend or adjust its own operations and an airline preventing another carrier from operating,” it said.
Ibom Air said it had, at various times, temporarily suspended operations to destinations including Enugu and Calabar to allow for mandatory aircraft maintenance and other operational requirements.
It added that operational challenges, including aircraft availability, fuel logistics, airport infrastructure, scheduling and regulatory requirements, could affect the number or frequency of flights without implying that a particular airline controls access to an airport.
The airline said it welcomed competition, arguing that a competitive aviation environment would ultimately benefit passengers and strengthen connectivity.
“Ibom Air welcomes competition. On the contrary, we believe a healthy, competitive aviation environment ultimately benefits passengers,” it said.
According to the airline, having more carriers operating from Uyo could provide passengers with greater travel options, more choices in schedules and fares, improved connectivity for Akwa Ibom and the wider South-South region, increased passenger traffic and a stronger aviation ecosystem.
Ibom Air further stressed that its status as the home-based carrier did not give it ownership or control of Victor Attah International Airport.
“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.
