Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has opened discussions with SAMCO Group Europe and Airbus on a possible partnership to manage and operate the Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo.

Eno disclosed this during a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of SAMCO Group Europe, Constant Van Shani, in Montreal, Canada, as part of engagements ahead of the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) of Ibom Air’s latest Airbus A220-300 aircraft.

The governor said the state was seeking a partnership that would go beyond consultancy to provide practical technical support for aircraft maintenance, particularly as Ibom Air expands its fleet.

He said the proposed collaboration would also focus on technical training, technology transfer and the development of a highly skilled local aviation workforce.

Eno noted that the state had committed significant resources to completing the MRO facility, stressing his administration’s determination to ensure that it becomes fully operational.

According to him, developing local aircraft maintenance capacity would reduce the airline’s reliance on overseas facilities while creating opportunities for highly skilled aviation professionals in the state.

Van Shani welcomed the proposed collaboration, expressing SAMCO’s readiness to work with the state to actualise the project.

“Governor, we are glad to know that you are willing to work with us. We are here to get it done beyond consulting,” he said.

SAMCO Aviation Services, based in Maastricht, Netherlands, has experience providing aircraft maintenance and technical services to African airlines and has previously handled maintenance and inspection work involving Ibom Air aircraft.

The governor also met with Airbus Vice President of Sales for Africa, Hadi Akoum, where discussions focused on Ibom Air’s fleet expansion and the delivery of its latest A220-300 aircraft.

Eno reaffirmed the state’s commitment to Ibom Air, describing the airline as a strategic economic asset and stressing its importance to tourism, connectivity, trade and investment.

“It is a forex-denominated business, and airlines must be made to function,” Eno said.

The engagements formed part of efforts to align Ibom Air’s expanding fleet with the development of local maintenance infrastructure, technical expertise and aviation capacity in Akwa Ibom State.