As part of moves to boost the state’s revenue base, Cross River will establish a state airline Cally Air and a shipping line. Governor of the state, Ben Ayade started this in a parley with journalists in Calabar. The airline will be managed by Dana group under a Public-Private arrangement. Routes the airline is expected to fly include Calabar, Obudu, Lagos and Abuja.
The state has also set aside the sum of ₦17 billion naira in its 2017 budget towards provision of a merchant vessel, fabrication yard, and other allied maritime services. The shipping line will concentrate its activities along the shores of Guinea.
Governor Ayade also stated that the state was taking advantage of its huge tourism potentials and vast maritime resources by going into both airline and maritime services.Diversifying the revenue base would also enable the state provide critical social infrastructure.