TheCable

Ben Ayade, governor of Cross River state, says his administration will float an airline in November.

Ayade said this while playing host to a consortium of Indian investors in Calabar on Monday.

He said the airline, which is to be called `Cally Air’, will be managed by Dana Group under a public private partnership (PPP) arrangement.

The governor said it would fly Calabar, Obudu, Lagos and Abuja routes.

“We have our own state’s aircraft currently in Aero Contractors’ fleet in Lagos,” he said.

“The management of Dana Airline has agreed to do a detailed technical study of the aircraft before it commences commercial flight operations.”

Ayade said the state was in a haste to get the airline started while Dana Airline would serve as its technical partner.

Jackies Hartmani, managing director of Dana Group, applauded the joint partnership between his group and the state government.

“My company is very impressed with what Ayade is doing to transform the state in terms of investment and we are committed to ensuring the success of the partnership.”