Meet the award-winning female pilot who flew Ibom Air’s new aircraft from Canada to Uyo

When Ibom Air’s brand-new Airbus A220-300 touched down at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo on Monday, September 1, the aircraft immediately attracted the attention of dignitaries, aviation officials and residents who gathered to welcome it.

But the woman behind the controls soon became another major attraction.

She was Captain Ruth Adeola Adebanwo, Chief Pilot of Ibom Air, who had just flown the newly delivered aircraft from the Airbus facility in Mirabel, Canada, to Akwa Ibom.

The flight covered approximately 8,945 kilometres, marking another significant milestone in Captain Adebanwo’s aviation career.

Reports indicate that she has become the first woman to fly a brand-new aircraft into Nigeria, adding another remarkable achievement to a career spanning more than two decades.

Captain Adebanwo, however, did not become Ibom Air’s Chief Pilot because of the latest aircraft delivery.

She had already occupied the position before the arrival of the new Airbus A220-300. Ibom Air had previously recognised and celebrated her as the woman leading its flight crew.

Her latest achievement has nevertheless placed her in the spotlight once again.

From cabin crew to the cockpit

Captain Adebanwo’s journey to the cockpit began far from the position she occupies today.

She started her aviation career as a cabin crew member before deciding to pursue her ambition of becoming a pilot.

She subsequently trained as a pilot in South Africa and went on to build more than 20 years of experience in the aviation industry.

Over the course of her career, she has flown different aircraft types and worked with airlines including Aero Contractors, Arik Air and Ibom Air.

Her experience and contribution to aviation have also earned her recognition beyond Nigeria.

She was listed among the Top 100 Women in Travel and Tourism in Africa, highlighting her influence and accomplishments in the sector.

A new milestone in Uyo

The arrival of Ibom Air’s new Airbus A220-300 gave Captain Adebanwo another defining moment in her career.

After flying the aircraft across continents from Canada to Nigeria, she brought it safely to its destination in Uyo, where a crowd of dignitaries and residents gathered to welcome the aircraft.

The occasion quickly became more than an aircraft delivery.

For many observers, it was also a celebration of the woman who had taken control of the cockpit and flown the new aircraft home.

Captain Adebanwo’s journey from cabin crew member to Chief Pilot illustrates the possibilities within the aviation industry and the progress of women in a field historically dominated by men.

From serving passengers in an aircraft cabin to leading an airline’s flight crew, she has built a career that has taken her from training in South Africa to flying aircraft across continents.

And on September 1, her journey took another remarkable turn as she flew Ibom Air’s brand-new Airbus A220-300 from Canada to Akwa Ibom.

From Canada to Uyo. From the cabin crew to the cockpit. From an aviation dream to becoming Chief Pilot, Captain Ruth Adeola Adebanwo continues to prove that the sky can be a starting point, not the limit.

Dear Vows