AfriPulse
Nigeria’s aviation sector is set for a major boost as Ibom Air prepares to begin international flight operations in April 2026.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the development after inspecting ongoing upgrades at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo.
The minister, who toured the airport facilities on Wednesday alongside Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, said the state was outperforming federal timelines for achieving full international airport status.
He disclosed that all key agencies involved in international aviation including Customs, Immigration, NDLEA, Police, DSS, Quarantine, NEMA and relevant aviation authorities had assessed the facility and expressed satisfaction with progress made.
Keyamo noted that earlier expectations were that many operational gaps would need to be closed, but after the inspection, only minimal adjustments were found to be outstanding and he also highlighted the near completion of a world-class international terminal and the newly constructed Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre, which he described as a critical requirement for international carriers.
According to him, the availability of the MRO facility ensures that foreign airlines operating in Uyo can conduct routine checks before departing, giving the airport a strong competitive edge and aligning it with global aviation standards.
Governor Eno, in his remarks, lauded the minister for his commitment to improving Nigeria’s aviation landscape, and also thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the airport’s upgrade and releasing the funds needed to accelerate its transformation.
The governor credited successive administrations in Akwa Ibom for laying the foundation that enabled the state to achieve this milestone.
The upgrades position Victor Attah International Airport for full international operations ahead of the 2026 target date, with Ibom Air expected to commence flights immediately upon certification.
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Source: Independent.ng | Read the Full Story…
