Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has said his administration is investing heavily in aviation to make Cross River a major destination for business, tourism and investment, while expressing confidence that Cally Air can grow into one of the leading regional airlines in West Africa.
The governor made this known during an interview, where he explained that improving air transportation became one of the priorities of his administration because reliable flights are essential for economic growth.
According to Governor Otu, Cross River occupies a strategic location along the Gulf of Guinea and stands to benefit from major economic projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway being championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said the state cannot attract investors and tourists if travellers continue to face frequent flight cancellations and unreliable flight schedules.
"When we came into office, aviation faced serious challenges. Investors need confidence that they can travel to Cross River without unnecessary disruptions. That is why we decided to strengthen the sector," the governor said.
Governor Otu disclosed that while the previous administration acquired two aircraft, his government has expanded the fleet to about six aircraft, with three more expected after completing the required regulatory processes.
He also revealed that one of the newest aircraft in the fleet is named Linda Ayade, adding that the additional aircraft will help the airline secure its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), allowing it to operate more independently and expand its services.
The governor noted that before now, travelling to Calabar was often frustrating because only a few airlines operated the route. He said whenever one aircraft developed a fault, passengers were left stranded due to limited alternatives.
According to him, the expansion of Cally Air has introduced healthy competition, leading to better service delivery and improved punctuality among airlines operating into Cross River.
Governor Otu maintained that the long-term goal is not just to improve transportation but to strengthen the state's economy by making it easier for investors, business owners and tourists to access Cross River.
He added that with sustained investment, Cally Air has the capacity to become one of the leading regional airlines in West Africa, further positioning Cross River as an important commercial and tourism hub.
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