Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has assured that international flights will soon take off and land at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar.

He said his administration will partner with the management of the airport to ensure that it is well patronized by many local and international flights.

Otu spoke when the airport manager, Mr. Ayinla Gbolahan, visited him in Calabar on Thursday.

Otu said, “There was a time the Calabar Airport used to fly international routes, at least to nearby Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, and other neighboring countries, but the reverse is now the case. That situation must change.

“We are ready and willing to work with you in any way possible to ensure that we change the face of that airport by partnering with the relevant federal government agencies.

“I know very well that the Margaret Ekpo Airport will not be able to accommodate the influx of people who will come into the state either for business or leisure.

“For any meaningful progress to take place in a state, it is important to get an effective and efficient air travel system in place, and by the grace of God, we will achieve that. I have heard your requests, and I promise to look into some of them that are within our capacity and purview.”

Earlier, the manager of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Mr. Ayinla Gbolahan, congratulated the governor on his victory at the just concluded polls and pleaded for his support to reposition the airport.

The visit, he said, is to seek the state government’s support to reposition the airport.

The delegation included other top management staff at the airport.