Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River, says arrangements have been concluded to boost the state-owned airline, Cally Air, with three additional planes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Governor made the disclosure during the inauguration of a Boeing 737 – 5N BYR Plane into the state-owned airline in Calabar on Tuesday.

NAN reports that Tuesday’s inauguration of the Boeing 737 brought to two, the number of aircraft on the stable of Cally Air which the immediate past administration launched with one aircraft.

Otu said the need for the additional aircraft was to ensure seamless air service to visitors to the state during the annual Calabar carnival, scheduled to commence on Friday.

The Governor said the Boeing 737 with the other planes will be flying from Abuja and Lagos respectively to Calabar during the 32-day carnival.

“We have about three aircraft that would be joining the fleet in no distant time.

“Permit me to thank officials of the Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for making it possible that flights, very soon, would be landing here till 9pm.

“The lighting is being restored and the airport is returning to total functionality to exist as an international airport,” he stated.

The Governor called on investors to explore the option of Cally Aero as they plan to visit Cross River for business or leasure.

“To all our guests, we are expecting all of you from December 1. By the time the festival is on, one can only imagine what the temperature is going to be like.

“I want to thank Aero Contractors, our partner in this business. We have agreed to build even stronger and to make sure that this partnership becomes a very viable business for the state,” he said.