CiTy LinK Acquires New Aircraft

Air Commodore Kwame Manfi disembarking from the new aircraft after inspection.

CiTy LinK a domestic flight operator in Ghana has acquired a new aircraft to enhance its operations in the country.

The company also relaunched its Accra -Tamale route.

The aircraft was purchased at a cost of $1.28 million with funding from UT Bank. Mr Selby Twumasi-Ankra, Chief Planning Officer of the Ministry of Transport said the government's policy to make the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) an aviation hub within the sub-region could be accelerated if the home-based carriers played their roles effectively.

He said the aviation industry in Ghana had undergone a tremendous growth in recent years due to the stable political, social and economic atmosphere that the country was currently enjoying and the liberalised regulatory framework.

'This is manifested in the increase in the number of the external airlines that frequent the KIA'he said. He said even though the domestic air travel was picking up its pace, it was not commensurate with the rate of external growth due to a number of challenges faced by the carriers.

Mr Twumasi-Ankra said the ministry through the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Airlines Company Limited would ensure that the neccessary regulatory frame work and interventions were promoted to support the growth of the industry.

The Chief Planning Officer stated that the Kotoka International Airport and the regional airports would continue to undergo the neccessary infrastructural development including the installation of modern communication, navigation and survellaince equipments to improve their services.

He reminded operators of the importance of safety and security environment required for air travel and therefore called on operators in the industry to adhere strictly to the standards of the industry to make air travel safe and comfortable.

Mr Kwaku Antwi-Boasiako, Deputy Managing Director of CiTy LinK, stated that they had three passenger aircrafts and his outfit was working feverishly to acquire a third Saab that would ensure that they would be in a position not only to take advantage of potential new market but also ensure that their existing clients experience safe,convienient ,reliable and uninterrupted service throughout the year.

He, therfore, appealed to the govenment, Bank of Ghana and the banking industry and all stakeholders to work harder to bring down interest rates, so that companies like theirs would be able to do business with financial institions.

Captain Budu Koomson, Chief Executive Officer of UT Bank, said his outfit would also provide funds to the company to purchase spare parts in addition to the new aircraft.

Air Commodore Kwame Mamphy, Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, who performed the commisioning ceremony, said the new aircraft had been tested several times and approved by the his outfit.

He, therefore, expressed the hope that CiTy Link would mantain their safety measures.