The Governor of Cross Rivers state, Bassey Otu, has taken delivery of two new Bombardier CRJ1000 aircraft to tackle flight delays and cancellations. He said the regional aircraft, each capable of carrying up to 100 passengers, are part of the administration’s broader efforts to enhance economic mobility and solidify the state’s position as a leading tourism and investment destination in Nigeria.
The governor said this in a statement he signed and made available to journalists today, and according to the statement, the official reception ceremony was held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where the Governor, his wife, and other prominent personalities joined him in receiving the aircraft.
At the reception, Otu described the acquisition as “a long-overdue leap into the future of seamless connectivity and economic transformation for the state, adding that the aircraft are scheduled to be officially commissioned by the Ministry of Aviation on August 12, 2025, further saying that the aircraft will help eliminate persistent challenges faced by travellers to and from Calabar, including frequent flight delays and cancellations.
He also added that the initiative is expected to boost tourism, drive investor confidence, and open Cross River to more business opportunities, however while commending the governor’s foresight, Former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke, lauded the acquisition, describing it as a game-changing intervention.
