Cally Air (Calabar), the virtual carrier of Nigeria's Cross River State, has taken delivery of the first two leased CRJ1000ERs, marking the type’s return to active service on the African continent, according to ch-aviation research.

The first aircraft, 15-year-old PH-PKE (msn 19004), recently underwent maintenance in Ljubljana before departing on July 23. The second aircraft, 14.5-year-old OE-LSD (msn 19009), had been in storage in Ljubljana and also departed on July 23, following the same route. Both were ferried via Tamanrasset, Algeria, to arrive in Lagos later that same day. On July 24, both operated domestic test flights between Lagos and Abuja under the 'N2' code of Aero Contractors, although that code was only used for ferry flights and not for the future commercial operations.

ch-aviation understands that the leases are formally held by ValueJet which will operate the aircraft under Cally Air's certificate.

Both 100-seat aircraft previously operated for HOP! (France) as F-HMLA and F-HMLE, respectively. They were acquired by lessor Aircraft Finance Germany from Regional One.

Their arrival marks the CRJ1000’s first return to Nigeria since Arik Air (W3, Lagos) retired its single unit in 2018, according to ch-aviation data. Their delivery was originally scheduled for March 2025.

Currently, Cally Air’s flights are operated by Aero Contractors, as the state-owned virtual carrier does not yet hold its own Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). Its existing fleet includes two 149-seat B737-300s, also owned by the Cross River State.

The Cross River State government has ambitious plans for Cally Air, including developing it into Nigeria’s largest airline and eventually launching international services.