LAGOS — Ibom Air has unveiled an ambitious profit target of ₦150 billion for the year 2025, building on its strong performance in 2024, where it recorded a ₦96 billion profit, according to its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. George Uriesi.
Speaking at the Ibom Air Travel Agents Forum held in Lagos on Friday, Uriesi said the airline was on a clear growth trajectory and is “positioning to transform the airline business in Nigeria.” He noted that travel agents accounted for six percent of the airline’s 2024 revenue, underscoring their importance to its expanding distribution network.
In a bid to boost global visibility, Ibom Air will join the General Distribution System (GDS) before the end of 2025. “Once on the GDS, agents across the world will be able to access our products, enhancing our global reach,” Uriesi said.
To tackle the challenge of flight disruptions and cancellations, the CEO revealed that the airline has dedicated a standby aircraft. However, he admitted the move, though customer-centric, is not financially sustainable. “It’s not profitable, but it is necessary to uphold our reliability,” he explained.
Ibom Air is also setting its sights beyond Nigeria. The airline is preparing to launch international flights to Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), Douala (Cameroon), and São Tomé and Príncipe from its terminal in Uyo, which Uriesi said will soon serve as a major West and Central African hub.
“We are about to expand all over Africa,” he stated. “Our new terminal is designed to support that strategy—we were actively involved in the design process.”
Uriesi also addressed key concerns from travel agents, ranging from online discount disparities to pricing issues, refund timelines, and transaction charges, particularly those related to Paystack. Several travel agents were recognized with certificates of appreciation for their contributions over the last six months.
The event was attended by stakeholders including members of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA) and the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN).
