The Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu, recently inaugurated a new aircraft as part of the state-owned Cally Air fleet.
During the inauguration at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, the governor pledged to further enhance the airline by introducing three more aircraft.
The newly introduced Boeing 737, with Registration No. 5N BYR, marked the resumption of flight services in Calabar.
Governor Otu, emphasizing the ambition to elevate Calabar’s status to that of an international airport, stated that three additional aircraft would join the fleet soon.
He acknowledged the efforts of his predecessor, Senator Ben Ayade, for initiating Cally Air and positioning Cross River on the aviation map.
As part of the upcoming 32-day non-stop festivities starting on November 30, 2023, two planes are scheduled to operate the Lagos-Abuja-Calabar route twice daily.
In his address, the governor praised aviation authorities for implementing night landing systems and expressed optimism about the airport’s optimal functionality in the near future.
“Permit me to thank the Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for making it possible that flights, very soon, would be landing here till 9pm. The lighting is being restored and the airport is returning to total functionality to exist as an international airport,” he said.
The governor used the opportunity to also welcome tourists to the state for the 2023 Carnival Calabar International Festival and called on them to explore the option of Cally Air as they visit for business and other recreational activities.
“I want to thank Aero Contractors, our partners, in this business. We have agreed to build even stronger and to make sure that this partnership becomes a very viable business for the state,” Otu said.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, commended the governor for midwifing the return of services of the two aircraft to Calabar, while describing the Governor Otu-led administration as one “poised to repositioning Cross River into an economically viable state.”
He called on air travellers to embrace Aero Cally as the state-owned aircraft operate the most pocket-friendly fares in Nigeria.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Aviation, Captain Eno Inah, expressed delight at the return of Cally Air services to Calabar, adding that the development has brought the needed relief to a lot of those looking forward to Africa’s biggest street party – Carnival Calabar International Festival.
He said with three additional aircraft to be added to the Cally Air fleet, Cross River State was primed for robust aviation business.
