Ibom Air Set to Expand International Reach Beyond Ghana Starting April 2026

Uyo, Nigeria – December 18, 2025 (Clarion Newschannel)
Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom State-owned airline, Ibom Air, is gearing up for a major milestone in its growth trajectory: the launch of full international flight operations directly from Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo beginning in April 2026.
The announcement follows a recent inspection of the airport facilities by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who expressed strong confidence in the project’s timeline. During a visit on December 16, 2025, accompanied by Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Keyamo commended the state government for its rapid progress in upgrading the airport to full international status.
“From all we have heard, Akwa Ibom State is ahead of the plan scheduled. We thought the gaps to be closed would be much, but they are virtually very small gaps. Akwa Ibom State has gone ahead of schedule to a full-blown International Airport,” Keyamo stated after meetings with key agencies including Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, NDLEA, Police, DSS, NEMA, and aviation authorities.
Key infrastructure highlights include a newly constructed international terminal and a state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, which the minister described as essential for international operations. The upgrades will enable seamless handling of international arrivals and departures, positioning Uyo as a new gateway for regional travel.
Currently, Ibom Air operates scheduled flights to Accra, Ghana – its only international destination – primarily from Lagos, alongside domestic routes to cities like Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Calabar, and Uyo. The airline launched its inaugural regional service to Accra in October 2023, marking its entry into international operations.
The shift to direct international flights from Uyo in April 2026 represents a significant expansion beyond the current Ghana route, allowing Ibom Air to potentially introduce new destinations while basing more operations at its home airport. The airline has previously signaled ambitions for further regional growth within West and Central Africa, supported by its expanding fleet of CRJ900 and Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
Governor Eno reiterated the state’s commitment to collaborating with federal agencies to meet the April 1, 2026, target for the first international flight departure. Keyamo has directed relevant teams to address any remaining tasks starting in January 2026.
This development is expected to boost connectivity, tourism, and economic ties for Akwa Ibom and the South-South region, further establishing Ibom Air as a key player in Nigeria’s aviation sector.