The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has pledged its support to Ibom Air, vowing to foster a strategic partnership aimed at expanding the airline’s operations and enhancing its business prospects. This commitment was made during NANTA’s Eastern Zone meeting, which took place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The event was centered around the theme, “Tourism: A Driver for Peace and Wealth Creation.”
Mr. Yinka Folami, the National President of NANTA, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, reassuring Ibom Air of NANTA’s readiness to actively engage in the partnership. “You (Ibom Air) said you will aggressively court NANTA, and we will be just as aggressive in welcoming you. We look forward to that partnership, and we will support you,” Folami stated, highlighting the mutual benefits anticipated from this alliance.
In his remarks, Folami commended the members of the Eastern Zone for successfully organizing the meeting and urged them to maintain their unity and collaboration. “I always like to celebrate and acknowledge you. The Eastern Zone is very dear to my heart, and I want you to continue harnessing your strengths and diversity,” he added.
Mr. George Uriesi, Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, presented the airline’s ambitious growth plans during the meeting. He revealed intentions to expand its fleet to 20 aircraft by the year 2028, underscoring the airline’s dedication to safety and regulatory compliance. “In the five-plus years we’ve operated, we’ve had no serious aviation incidents due to our focus on safety and compliance, which has been key to our success,” Uriesi remarked.
Uriesi elaborated on Ibom Air’s vision to serve the African market exclusively, stating, “Ibom Air is not venturing outside Africa, but we plan to cover the entire continent. Our goal is to grow our fleet and connect Africa from Uyo, starting with the new airport terminal, which we aim to open in December.”
He further emphasized the significance of partnering with NANTA to effectively market the airline as it embarks on this expansion journey. “We will rely on NANTA members to market us as we expand. Let’s work together for mutual growth and success,” Uriesi stated.
The event also featured insights from Mrs. Josephine Mbela, Assistant Deputy Director (Domestic & Africa) of the Kenya Tourism Board. She highlighted Kenya’s commitment to increasing its market share in Africa, including Nigeria. Mbela shared the ambitious goal of raising the number of Nigerian tourists visiting Kenya from 32,000 last year to 50,000 in the current financial year, facilitated by collaborations with NANTA and other industry stakeholders.
This three-day event, which received sponsorship from the Kenya Tourism Board, brought together travel professionals from Nigeria’s South-South and Southeast regions, alongside members of NANTA’s National Executive Council from other parts of the country. The discussions emphasized the vital role of tourism in driving economic growth and fostering peace within the region.