Ibom Air has rejected allegations that it operates a monopoly at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, or uses its position as the home-based carrier to prevent other airlines from operating from the Akwa Ibom airport.
The airline said it has neither the authority nor the regulatory power to determine which carriers can operate from Uyo or any other airport in Nigeria.
The clarification comes amid public debate over the airline’s dominant presence at the airport, with some travellers and industry observers questioning whether limited competition could be contributing to higher fares and fewer flight options for passengers.
Ibom Air, in a statement on Monday, however, said the power to authorise, regulate, suspend or otherwise permit airline operations rests with the relevant aviation authorities.
It cited Section 8(3) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022, which gives the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority responsibility for regulating civil aviation in the country.
