Akwa Ibom Govt Denies Alleged Airline Monopoly

Friday October 23, 2026

By thenewsdesk.ng

The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed allegations that it prevented other airline operators from doing business at the state-owned Victor Attah International Airport.

Ibom Air has been the sole airline operator in the state since its inception in 2019, prompting speculation that it enjoyed a monopoly.

At a ministerial press briefing at Government House, Uyo, on Monday, the Honorary Special Adviser to Governor Umo Eno on Aviation and Airport Development, Engineer Uwem Ekanem, said the state had opened up the aviation sector to other airlines.

He said the government had begun talks with ValueJet for operations in the state, while arrangements had been concluded for Air Peace to commence flight operations on October 23.

“The speculation that Ibom Air has a monopoly is wrong. We are in talks with ValueJet, and hopefully, it will come in.

“Air Peace, on its part, will commence flight operations at the Victor Attah International Airport on October 23. This will provide other airlines with the opportunity to make inroads into the state’s aviation hub,” he said.