July 18, (THEWILL) – The management of Ibom Air, the Akwa Ibom State Government-owned airline, has debunked reports that the airline has been blacklisted by aircraft lessors over breach of contract, saying it is untrue.
The airline stated that it has never breached any contract with lessors and was not at any time blacklisted. It added that all seven aircraft in its fleet are financed by Nigerian banks.
In a statement titled, “Ibom Air Clarifies Misleading Business Day Headline”, and endorsed by the Group Manager, Marketing and Communication, Aniekan Essien Ette, the airline management stated that the report has severely damaged the reputation of Ibom Air as a business with the highest corporate standards.
“This false story severely damaged Ibom Air’s reputation as a business with the highest corporate governance standards. We assure all our business partners that Ibom Air does not have any aircraft on lease from any lessors, foreign or domestic. We own all seven aircraft that we operate and they are all financed by Nigerian banks.
“Also, for the avoidance of doubt, Ibom Air is not blacklisted by any lessor, local or international, and has never been in breach of any contract into which it has entered. On the contrary, the airline is in good standing with both local and international financiers and lessors.
“The Business Day story was prejudicial to our business interests. We brought it to the notice of the newspaper, which promptly pulled the story and promised to retract it,” the statement explained.
It, however, called on business partners of the airline to rest assured that Ibom Air continues to be committed to the letter and spirit of any agreements entered into.
