Cally Air (Calabar), a virtual carrier owned by Nigeria's Cross River State, has grown its fleet to five aircraft with the addition earlier this month of its first CRJ900.

ADS-B data shows Nigerian AOC holder ValueJet began operating 5N-CRC (msn 15321) on behalf of Cally Air on July 2 on domestic routes, covering Calabar, Abuja, Lagos Port Harcourt Awolowo, Owerri, Jos, and Iperu.

The 12.1-year-old jet seats 89 passengers in a two-class cabin of 86 in economy and three in business class. It was formerly operated by China Express Airlines (G5, Chongqing), which took delivery of the aircraft in 2014.

This brings Cally Air's fleet to five aircraft, also including two CRJ1000ERs already operated by ValueJet and two B737-300s operated by Aero Contractors. The two CRJ1000s are part of five of the type being financed by Cross River State, with three more to be delivered.

In a statement, Cross River State governor Bassey Otu said the CRJ900 would help address persistent flight delays and cancellations on routes to and from Calabar. He said the fleet expansion forms part of a broader plan to position Cross River as an aviation hub in southeastern Nigeria, supporting its tourism sector.