Cally Air Rivals Ibom Air, Joins Nigeria’s Expanding Aviation Market with Two New Aircraft from AFG
- Another Nigerian state has announced the lease of two aircraft as it prepares to launch a new airline after Ibom Air
- The new aircraft were leased from a prominent firm, AFG Aviation Ireland Limited, a global leasing and asset management company
- The new aircraft have since been handed over to another Nigerian airline, ValueJet, in collaboration, pending regulatory approvals
Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade.
Cally Air, the Cross River state-owned airline, has received two aircraft from AFG Aviation Ireland Limited, a global commercial leasing and asset management company.
AFG confirmed the successful lease of two Bombardier CRJ1000 regional jets to Cally Air.
Source: Facebook
Cally Air takes shape
The two aircraft with serial numbers 19004 and 19009 were newly acquired by AFG from Regional One and leased to Cross River’s Cally Air under a finance agreement.
According to a Punch report, the development came weeks after the state government announced the purchase of the two aircraft, which were handed over to ValueJet in collaboration.
ValueJet disclosed that the understanding allows it to manage and operate the two new aircraft on behalf of Cally Air.
Reports say under the sublease, ValueJet will be responsible for the operational functions for the two CRJ1000 aircraft under ValueJet's Air Operating Certificate (AOC).
Cally Air’s partnership with AFG and ValueJet
The founder and CEO of AFG, Christian Nuehlen, said the development is a strategic milestone in the company’s growing presence in the African aviation market and Cally Air’s fleet expansion strategies.
The company stressed that the lease supports Cally Air’s ambition to become a leading regional airline while also contributing to broader goals of economic development, trade and tourism in Africa.
Experts say that with a strong track record of structuring complex transactions and delivering aircraft, AFG will continue to be a trusted partner for airlines and investors seeking expansion and high-potential markets.
Ibom Air leads the way
Industry experts say the move signals a wider shift as more Nigerian states eye aviation to boost trade and tourism..
Recently, Ebonyi State announced plans to float an airline after completing its international airport.
These states aim to follow in the steps of the highly successful Ibom Air, a state-run airline.
Ibom Air announced its financial records for 2024 on June 25, 2025, in Ikot Ekpene.
The airline listed its achievements in the past year, including milestones in route expansion, fleet growth, and customer satisfaction.
Ibom Air's journey
Ibom Air received a safety certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) alongside winning the best airline of the year award.
In 2023, Ibom Air received its first of 10 new Airbus A220-300 aircraft for operations and expansion in the West African region.
Source: UGC
Last August, the state-owned aircraft added a second Airbus A220-300 to its fleet.
United Nigeria Airlines to launch UK, US flights
Legit.ng earlier reported that United Nigeria Airlines says it would commence regional flight operations to Accra, Ghana, on August 25, 2025.
Other proposed destinations include the United Kingdom, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Senegal, at a later date, after getting regulatory approval.
The airline announced this recently, as it confirmed that it had signed a global distribution agreement with Sabre Central and West Africa, to make airfares and inventories available on the Sabre marketplace.
Source: Legit.ng
