Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has officially commenced international flight operations, marking a historic milestone for the state and the nation’s aviation sector. On Saturday, May 2, 2026, the first international flight, operated by Ibom Air, departed from Uyo to Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana. The inaugural flight was witnessed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, alongside other dignitaries.
The event, which has been in the works for months following the Federal Government’s approval of the airport’s upgrade to international status, signals a new era of regional connectivity and economic opportunity for the South‑South region. Speaking at the departure ceremony, Keyamo commended Governor Eno for his commitment to infrastructure development, noting that the international status of the airport would boost trade, tourism, and investment. “This is not just a victory for Akwa Ibom, but for Nigeria as a whole. It shows that with vision and partnership, we can expand our aviation footprint and connect our people to the world,” Keyamo said.
The maiden international flight, Ibom Air flight number not disclosed, took off around mid‑day and is expected to become a scheduled service connecting Uyo to Accra, with a return flight scheduled for Sunday. The airline, which is wholly owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government, has grown rapidly since its launch in 2019 and now operates a fleet of modern aircraft serving domestic and regional routes. Governor Eno, who has prioritised aviation as a key driver of his administration’s “Arise Agenda”, described the commencement of international flights as a fulfillment of a long‑standing dream. “This airport was built to connect Akwa Ibom to the world. Today, we have taken that first decisive step,” Eno said at the event.
The upgrade of the Victor Attah International Airport to international standards involved the construction of a new terminal building, lengthening of the runway, installation of navigational aids, and the establishment of immigration, customs, and security screening facilities. The project was completed in late 2025 following a multi‑billion naira investment by the state government, with technical support from the Federal Ministry of Aviation. The airport now has the capacity to handle international passengers and cargo, potentially opening up direct flights to other West African destinations and, in the future, to Europe and the Middle East.
Before the upgrade, travellers from Akwa Ibom and neighbouring states had to travel to Port Harcourt or Lagos to catch international flights. The new Uyo international service is expected to save time and money for business travellers, students, and the large diaspora community from the South‑East and South‑South regions who often use Accra as a transit hub to Europe and North America. Industry analysts project that the route could carry up to 150,000 passengers annually within its first two years.
Ibom Air’s CEO, George Uriesi, confirmed that the airline had been preparing for this day for over a year, including training crew on international procedures and securing the necessary operating permits from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Ghanaian authorities. “We are proud to be the launch carrier for this historic route. Our commitment is to deliver safe, reliable, and punctual service that will make Uyo a preferred gateway to West Africa,” Uriesi said.
The development has been widely welcomed by business groups and travel associations. The Akwa Ibom State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (AKICCIMA) issued a statement noting that direct international flights would reduce the cost of doing business and attract foreign direct investment. “For years, investors have cited the absence of an international airport as a deterrent. That obstacle has now been removed,” the chamber’s president said.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Aviation, has been pursuing a policy of expanding regional connectivity as part of its “Aviation Roadmap”. Keyamo has repeatedly emphasised the importance of developing state‑owned airports and encouraging domestic carriers to venture into regional markets. “Ibom Air has shown that Nigerian airlines can compete regionally. We expect other carriers to follow,” he said.
Despite the excitement, some aviation experts have cautioned that sustained success will depend on competitive pricing, efficient customs and immigration procedures, and aggressive marketing. The Accra route is already served by several international carriers from Lagos and Abuja, including Africa World Airlines and ASKY. However, Ibom Air is betting on the convenience of direct departures from Uyo and the loyalty of the local market.
Governor Eno, for his part, has promised to support the route with promotional campaigns and incentives for travel agents. He also announced that the state government was in talks with other airlines to add more international destinations, including Douala in Cameroon and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. “This is just the beginning. The world is now closer to Akwa Ibom than ever before,” Eno said.
As the inaugural flight taxied down the runway on Saturday, it carried not just passengers but the hopes of a state eager to position itself as a hub for business and tourism in the Gulf of Guinea. For the people of Akwa Ibom and the wider South‑South, the departure of that flight marked the end of decades of travel inconvenience and the start of a new chapter. The airport, named after a former military governor who championed the creation of Akwa Ibom State, is now living up to its name: an international gateway to Nigeria’s oil‑rich region.
With the first flight safely landed in Accra, all eyes are now on Ibom Air to sustain the service and on the government to maintain the infrastructure. If successful, Uyo could become a model for other state‑owned airports seeking international status. But for now, the celebration is well deserved. Akwa Ibom has taken flight.
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