Cross River State to launch airline as part of ambitious tourism investment drive

CROSS River State governor Ben Ayade has announced plans to float a state-owned airline to be known as Cally Air as part of an ambitious tourism investment drive aimed wooing international visitors.

 

Keen to diversify the Cross River State economy, Governor Ayade has already announced numerous ambitious initiatives since assuming office in May last year. Among his projects have included the construction of a purpose built town dedicated to rice production to be known as Rice City and getting Chinese heavy vehicle manufacturer Sino Truck to establish an assembly plant in the state capital Calabar.

 

While playing host to a consortium of Indian investors in Calabar yesterday, Governor Ayade said that the new airline will be managed by the Dana Group under a public private partnership arrangement. He added that the airline was expected to debut in November and would fly  from Calabar and Obudu to Lagos and Abuja.

 

Governor Ayade said: “We have our own state 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 added that the state was in a haste to get the airline started while Dana Airline would serve as its technical partner. Jackies Hartmani, the managing director of Dana Group, applauded the joint partnership between his airline and the state government.

 

“My company is very impressed with what Governor Ayade is doing to transform the state in terms of investment and we are committed to ensuring the success of the partnership,” Mr Hartmani said.