CROSS RIVER STATE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO BUILD AN ADDITIONAL AIRPORT AND START AN AIRLINE 11-06-25
By Sadiq Aminu The Cross River State government has disclosed plans to build an additional airport and start an airline to ensure seamless connectivity in and out of the state.
The Commissioner for Aviation in Cross River State, Captain Imah Utum, disclosed this during a visit to the Lagos Aviation Academy to explore partnership opportunities to support the state’s aviation development plans.
He said, to kick start its airline, the process of obtaining its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, is on while also seeking Air Transport License, ATL, first from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace development.
According to him, Cross River State currently operates two aircraft, Boeing 737-300 planes, under one of the domestic airlines and is expecting delivery of two CRJ-1000 aircraft.
“We’re approaching NCAA and the Federal Ministry of Aviation for a new tool to complete the process, our application is being attended to, and I think within the next 90 days, we should have our ATL first, and then we will see who comes thereafter.”
Captain Utum said, the state aims to train 800 aviation professionals annually, including cabin crew, flight dispatchers, and pilots, adding that, some pilots are already undergoing training, with one set to undergo type rating in the coming weeks.
Regarding airport development, Captain Utum disclosed that plans are underway to build a third airport in the state, in addition to the existing ones in Calabar and Obudu.
He explained that the Calabar airport, which is a federal government-owned facility, has limitations due to its location and cannot be expanded.
However, the state, he noted, is determined to develop its own airport, which will provide more opportunities for growth and development.
“We can even add a third airport. If you’re a regular traveler to outside this climate, you’ll see that if you go to Europe for a rest time, you have airports with proximity.
You have airports that are just there for maintenance.
I can tell you that there will be an additional airport even in calabar soon. So don’t worry about the Obudu, we’ll complete it. The calabar Margaret Ekpo International Airport is constrained completely because there’s no space for expansion”.
Captain Utum said, Cross River State’s aviation ambitions are driven by its strategic location as a major tourism hub and the need to provide secure and convenient air travel options for its citizens.
He emphasized that the state will not hand over its airport to the federal government, citing its financial stability and tourism potential.
“This governor will not attempt to hand over the airport. This governor will get someone else who will succeed him, who will continue from where he started”.
“Cross River State is the pay center in this country, after Lagos. We have the most vibrant, largest street party in Africa, and our tourism industry is fast developing.”
According to the commissioner, with its growing tourism industry and strategic location, Cross River State is poised to become a major player in Nigeria’s aviation sector.