The Commissioner for Aviation in Cross River State, Capt. Imah Utum (Rtd), has said that the state-owned airline, Cally Air, is set to return to the skies with a renewed vision and operational standards that will make it the preferred choice for travellers.
Emphasising the seriousness of the relaunch, Capt. Utum noted, “We are not launching just to be just another airline in the Nigerian airspace. We are launching on a new foundation, a foundation that will see us operate with international best practice. I can assure you that Cally Air will soon become the airline of best choice.”
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, on Monday, Capt. Utum stated, “The Cross River State Aviation journey started in October, 2019, when the former governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayadeh, acquired our first two aircrafts. That is 737.300 aircrafts. The two aircrafts were brought in and then put under the management of federal contractors. And we came on board in 2023. His Excellency, the governor of Cross River State, met with me and said, look, we need to raise the bar and ensure that we run the airline as it is being operated elsewhere.”
He explained that the state carefully evaluated which aircraft would be most suitable for its routes, eventually settling for two CROJ-1000 aircraft that will be unveiled soon.
“What we have decided to do is to lay a foundation that was not there before. We have put a roadmap together and started the journey for becoming an independent airline. We approached NCAA for an ATL and an AOC, and the processes have been going on. We’ve been granted the security clearance by the DSS. The next step is for us to be issued the ATL and then move ahead from there to get the AOC,” he said.
The commissioner also addressed concerns over a reported ₦900 million debt owed to Aero Contractors, describing the claim as unfounded.
“There is nothing in our records before we came in and after we took over that suggests that Cross River State is owing Aero Contractors ₦900 million. If there’s anything at all, at some point in time, it was Aero Contractors that was actually owing Cross River State,” he said.
On the status of the state’s aircraft, he said: “They are not grounded, they are operational. One of them was down because of engine issues and the new engines were got for them and they started flying. Since November 27, when they flew into Calabar and His Excellency, our governor, received it in the Magnitogor International Airport, they’ve been flying. As I speak to you, one of them will be in Calabar this evening.”
He disclosed that the two newly acquired aircraft cost the state $32.5 million and reaffirmed that the airline will be managed privately.
“Cross River State is not planning to manage the aircraft by ourselves. We are going to set up a proper management for the aircraft. It’s a purely private company and it’s going to be run as such,” he stated.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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