Aviation This Week - Part 1

‘Aviation This Week’ seeks to give an overview of events relevant to the aviation industry of Ghana by considering relevant activities from 9^th to 14^th November 2020. Below are some top seven stories for the week under review:

Ethiopian Airlines Adjudged ‘Customer Choice Airline of the Year’

At the maiden edition of the National Customers’ Choice Awards, Ghana which seeks to recognize outstanding businesses through the lenses of customers, Ethiopian Airlines was selected as the best airline in terms of customer service. The selection of the airline which came from a stiff competition from other international airlines was due to customers’ appreciation of Ethiopian’s on-ground and on-board services, as well as the contribution of the airline in the evacuation of Ghanaians and the distribution of COVID-19 related materials at the peak of the pandemic. Upon receipt of the award, Ms Yemesrach Alemayehu, Area Manager of the airline said the award will encourage them to do more in improving upon their services.

AFRAA Calls for Prioritization of Challenges of African Airlines

The African Airlines Association held its 52^nd Annual General Assembly Meeting on November 9 and 10, 2020. At the virtually meeting, the Secretary-General of the association, Abderahmane Berthé called for the operational challenges facing African airlines to be prioritized and addressed. AFRAA also encouraged airlines to build resilience and emerge stronger after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Assembly brought together top African airline CEOs, industry partners, and leaders of international and regional air transport associations across the globe.

Ghana Threatens to Deal with Airlines Defying COVID-19 Protocols

The President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo on his 19^th Coronavirus Update Address to the nation, indicated that authorities will not hesitate to sanction airlines flouting the directive of conducting a Polymerized Chain Reaction (PCR) test for passengers at the airport. This was made known after a total of 172 persons were reported to have tested positive so far for the virus at the Kotoka International Airport since its reopening on September 1, 2020.

Emirates Introduces Airbus A380 into Cargo Operations

Emirates SkyCargo has begun the usage of its Airbus A380 on select charter freight operations in its operational network. The airline has optimized the cargo carrier to safely fly some 50 tons of cargo without any operational hitches. The first freight operation of the A380 was from Seoul to Amsterdam via the airlines hub, Dubai.

Kumasi International Airport Nears Completion

At the Nation Building Updates on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, in Accra, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah indicated that the Kumasi Airport will be elevated to the status of an international airport by second quarter of 2021.

The project which is an expansion of the current status of the airport will see to the construction of a world-class terminal, aprons and the extension of the runway from 1981m to 2300m to accommodate large aircrafts.

US$110 Billion Lost in Revenue by Top Airlines

Data made available by StockApps.com suggest that following the coronavirus pandemic, Delta Airlines, Lufthansa, American Airlines, International Airlines Group (administrators of British Airways), United and Air France lost $110bn in revenue since the beginning of 2020. The records are as follows; Delta-US$1.8 billion, American Airlines - $21.1 billion, United - $20.4 billion, Lufthansa - US$10.6 billion, Air France - US$20.4 billion and IAG - US$14.9 billion.

Charles Hanson Adu Appointed Vice Chairman of World Safety and Technical Standing Committee

A statement from the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) this week confirmed that the “The Airport Council International (ACI) World Executive Committee has approved the nomination and appointment of Mr. Charles Hanson Adu, Group Executive, Airports Management of Ghana Airports Company Limited as the Vice Chairman of the World Safety and Technical Standing Committee (STSC)”. He becomes the first African to be appointed to such a position.

By: Mark Ofosu, Aviation Enthusiast