Gov Ayade plans to launch airline in Cross-River State

Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade on Monday said that the state government is to float an airline, to be called “Cally Air,” a plan which is said to be part of its tourism investment drive.


Ayade made this known in Calabar yesterday while playing host to a consortium of Indian investors.

According to him, the airline will be managed by Dana Group under a Public Private Partnership arrangement.

According to the governor, the airline is expected to debut in November and would fly Calabar, Obudu, Lagos and Abuja routes.

Ayade said, “We have our own state’s aircraft currently in Aero Contractors’ fleet in Lagos.

“The management of Dana Airline has agreed to do a detailed technical study of the aircraft before it commences commercial flight operations.”

He also said that the state was in a haste to get the airline started while Dana Airline would serve as its technical partner.

Mr Jackies Hartmani, the Managing Director of Dana Group, applauded the joint partnership between his group and the state government.