By Tina Todo, Calabar
The Cross River State government has clerified the misconception surrounding the operation of it’s new airline stating that Aero Contractors are the official operators of the state owned Cally Air.
The State Commissioner for Aviation, Mr. Jake Enyia stated this while briefing the press in Calabar on some misconception surrounding purchase and operation of the state Boeing aircrafts.
Enyia explained that the process of obtaining the Air Operators certificate,(AOC) is on going and would be ready in six months from now.
“We purchased the aircrafts and the law says you must have a minimum of two aircrafts and obtain an AOC.
“We have already secured the aircrafts and our aircrafts cannot continue to be on the ground in the airport because we are paying tax and demurrage daily.
“So for us to start generating money we have to use another airline that already has an AOC so we use them to operate our airline.
“So for now, our relationship with Aero Contractors is the fact that we engaged them as our operator and they are the Official Operators of Cally Air”, Jake said.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the ministry which is the first and only Aviation Ministry in the country would soon purchase three more aircrafts to the two on ground.
On the Cross River Cargo Airport in Obudu, Enyia disclosed that the airport would officially be commissioned ready for business in the first quarter of 2022.
He added that the cargo Airport would boost businesses within the state and beyond, by this, adding economic value to the country.
