Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has said that the state government is set to float an airline to be known as “Cally Air”, as part of its tourism investment drive.
The governor made the disclosure yesterday, in Calabar, the state capital, 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, PPP, arrangement.
Governor Ayade added that the airline will make its inaugural flight in November and would fly Calabar, Obudu, Lagos and Abuja routes.
He 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”.
Ayade said that the state was in a haste to get the airline started while Dana Airline would serve as its technical partner.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Dana Group, Mr. Jackies Hartmani, applauded the joint partnership between his group 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”, Hartmani said.
