This is part of the tourism drive of the state government in order to boost the tourism potentials of the state.
According to Dr. Ayade, the airline to be called Cally Air, would be managed by Dana Group under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
He stated that the airline is expected to start operations in November and would ply Calabar, Obudu, Lagos and Abuja routes.
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The governor also noted that the state was in a haste to get the airline started while Dana Airline would serve as its technical partner.
The Managing Director of Dana Group, Mr Jackies Hartmani, who was excited about the joint partnership between his airline and the Calabar State Government, said “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.”
Cross River state has been a major tourism hub in Nigeria since the administration of Donald Duke, a former governor of the state.
The state is home to the famous Obudu Cattle Ranch, the Tinapa resport and hosts Africa’s biggest street party every year, Calabar Carnival.