By: Kenneth Anam
The launch of two brand-new Bombardier CRJ1000 aircraft into the CallyAir fleet at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport today has marked a decisive turning point in the long-standing challenge of inadequate flight connectivity to and from Calabar.
With the fleet now expanded from two to four aircraft and plans already underway to reach seven as reckoned by “The People First Governor”, the administration of Governor Bassey Otu is sending a clear message, “Cross River will no longer be held hostage by limited airline schedules and excessive ticket prices”.
The event, officiated by Vice President Kashim Shettima, showcased more than just shiny new jets as it unveiled a bold operational strategy to tackle the so-called “Calabar flight menace” head-on that will reposition her to reclaim her place of pride as the best tourism destination in Africa.
Yet, as with every bold step forward, the predictable chorus of haters, naysayers, and traducers has emerged, some questioning why the new craft are operated by Value Jets instead of Aero thereby sparking unfounded insinuations of a foul play.
Their ignorance is frankly laughable revealing either a poor understanding of how the aviation industry works or a deliberate refusal to accept facts. Serious aviation planning demands certification, safety, and efficiency, not armchair speculation or political mischief, hence the reason for painstakingly penning this article to set the records, educate as well as inform the public so they don’t fall prey to the mischief of these haters of light.
Why Two Operators for Two Aircraft Types ?
The decision to contract the two already existing Boeing 737-300s to Aero Contractors and the two newly arrived CRJ 1000s to Value Jets is not a random choice but a calculated industry-smart move.
Like Gov. Otu clearly stated; in aviation, safety, certification, and readiness are non-negotiable hence his reason for choosing the fastest and most cost-effective path to get these aircraft in the air for the benefit of Cross Riverians.
A. CERTIFICATION & EXPERTISE:
The Cally Air Boeing 737-300s fleets operated by Aero Contractors is so because Aero Contractors has decades of operational experience with the Boeing 737 series, complete with type certification, trained crews, maintenance facilities and licence for these kinds of craft, hence the reason why they have been flying Cally Air’s Boeing fleet since the airline’s inception in 2021.
The newly acquired Cally Air Bombardier CRJ1000s operated by Value Jets is so because Aero Contractors does not operate CRJ1000s and lacks the required certification meanwhile Value Jet already flies CRJ900s, which are almost identical to the CRJ1000, allowing for immediate operations under ValueJet’s existing Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
B. SPEED TO MARKET :
Using Value Jet’s AOC means the CRJ1000s can start flying immediately, avoiding the long delays that would come with securing new certifications from scratch that the Cross River State Government is already in the process.
C. COST & OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY:
Different aircraft types demand different training, maintenance, and spare parts systems. Splitting the fleet between the two specialized operators while awaiting our State owned Air Operation Certificate (AOC) avoids duplication, saves costs, and keeps operations smooth instead of the fleet being grounded until the AOC process is met.
D. STRATEGIC ROUTE DEPLOYMENT:
It is no longer news the sufferings of Cross Riverians under the Cally Air Boeing 737-300s operated by Aero Contractors which was occasioned by the Higher-capacity of the craft which is usually meant for high-traffic and longer routes like, Kano, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt.
But with the newly acquired Cally Air Bombardier CRJ1000s, which is a Medium-range Craft for underserved regional routes like Calabar, Uyo, Ebonyi. Connecting Calabar to emerging tourism and business hubs will not be a challenge but a thing of the past.
The bigger picture of this impactful milestone achievement of Governor Ot’s expansion in the aviation industry will not only end the scarcity and pricing exploitation of Calabar-bound flights but boost tourism by ensuring easier, more affordable and always ready access to Cross River, above all create jobs and stimulate the state’s hospitality and service sectors whilst positioning Calabar as a regional hub for business and leisure travel.
In the words of Governor Otu; “We are not in the business of trial and error, we are in the business of results. Cally Air will not just fly, it will soar and with it, so will Cross River State.”
While Governor Otu walks the talk, it will be instructive for ignorance-induced dissenting voices to seek knowledge and insight to his workings and follow suit, rather than make a caricature of their folly.
12.08.2025.
