The Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar, Cross River State on Monday, July 20, reopened for domestic flight operations.
The inaugural flight after the Covid-19 lockdown was an Ibom Airline, with former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke onboard the flight, landed amid the formal airport celebration of splashing water on the aircraft to welcome it. The airline touched down at about 10:10am.
Duke described Ibom Air’s flight into Calabar as a catalyst that would boost commercial activities in for both states.
Duke who was on the inaugural flight from Lagos to Calabar described the experience as top notch while congratulating the state government and the management of the airline for maintaining such high standards.
He said, “What’s even more exciting is that it’s from a sister state and I’m always excited when I hear them speak the local dialect on the aircraft. Ibom is noted for living up to industry standards and being on time. They do things the right way. And even though it’s very new in the industry, it has very very high standards and we want to encourage them to maintain those standards.”
. “I also want to encourage our people to patronize them and be sure that with them coming in, our state would be better of, commercial life would be better off and I also believe that it would further help the relationship.
Highlighting benefits of the foray into Cross River Duke said, “For benefits, commuting and all that, you know unfortunately until lately, there’s only been one flight in and out of Calabar and to add this to it will add more to the commercial activities of the state. Where people can go in and come out more frequently and so there'll be more visitors and the hospitality industry will benefit and you are not a destination if I can’t get to you. If you can come in here and live at will then, you are a destination.”
Ibom Air’s Director Airline Services, Amaka Echetabu, who spoke during the inaugural flight also said the foray into Calabar will improve the economics of doing business in the state.
She described the service as a big deal for the airline, stating that the connection it is building will help boost both states.
“I think it will really improve the economics of doing business in Cross River, you can come in, do what you want to do, catch a flight with us again in the afternoon and head back to Lagos.
“It’s all about the market really, I see that Calabar is a sister to Uyo really and we can't really do business without each other. We are family and we can’t be doing all this in Akwa Ibom and not export some of it to Calabar as well. So this is what we have done, this is what we are doing, they definitely need us here. And it’s not really about how many, it’s about how well.”
“This is a big event for us, this is us spreading out wings especially in these unprecedented times. It is really big for us, it is a leap of faith and a lot of confidence in what we are doing. And no matter how much the market shrinks or expands, people still need to get from point A to point B. We want to do this for them. Offer them on time departure, schedule reliability and superior service. We want to treat people very well.”
Duke who was on the inaugural flight from Lagos to Calabar described the experience as top notch while congratulating the state government and the management of the airline for maintaining such high standards.
He said, “What’s even more exciting is that it’s from a sister state and I’m always excited when I hear them speak the local dialect on the aircraft. Ibom is noted for living up to industry standards and being on time. They do things the right way. And even though it’s very new in the industry, it has very very high standards and we want to encourage them to maintain those standards.”
. “I also want to encourage our people to patronize them and be sure that with them coming in, our state would be better of, commercial life would be better off and I also believe that it would further help the relationship.
Highlighting benefits of the foray into Cross River Duke said, “For benefits, commuting and all that, you know unfortunately until lately, there’s only been one flight in and out of Calabar and to add this to it will add more to the commercial activities of the state. Where people can go in and come out more frequently and so there'll be more visitors and the hospitality industry will benefit and you are not a destination if I can’t get to you. If you can come in here and live at will then, you are a destination.”
Ibom Air’s Director Airline Services, Amaka Echetabu, who spoke during the inaugural flight also said the foray into Calabar will improve the economics of doing business in the state.
She described the service as a big deal for the airline, stating that the connection it is building will help boost both states.
“I think it will really improve the economics of doing business in Cross River, you can come in, do what you want to do, catch a flight with us again in the afternoon and head back to Lagos.
“It’s all about the market really, I see that Calabar is a sister to Uyo really and we can't really do business without each other. We are family and we can’t be doing all this in Akwa Ibom and not export some of it to Calabar as well. So this is what we have done, this is what we are doing, they definitely need us here. And it’s not really about how many, it’s about how well.”
“This is a big event for us, this is us spreading out wings especially in these unprecedented times. It is really big for us, it is a leap of faith and a lot of confidence in what we are doing. And no matter how much the market shrinks or expands, people still need to get from point A to point B. We want to do this for them. Offer them on time departure, schedule reliability and superior service. We want to treat people very well.”
0 Comments