Africa World Increases Flights To Kumasi And Tamale

Africa World Airlines (AWA), an Indigenous airline, has increased its flight frequency between Accra-Kumasi and Accra-Tamale, to help meet the increased demand.

This is due to the suspension of operations of Starbow, the second domestic airline operator in the country.

Mr Richard Kyereh, the Deputy Head of Commercial for AWA, said: 'We have increased our frequency to help with the demand since the suspension of flight by Starbow.'

He said Accra-Kumasi-Accra flights had been increased from five times per day to six per day.

'Accra-Tamale-Accra has also been increased from four times per day to five times per day,' he added.

Mr Kyeremeh said Starbow had suspended its operations with immediate effect following an incident involving one of its Accra-Kumasi bound flights, Flight S9 104, on November 25, 2017 at 12:45 local time.

The Accra-based Airline has also made alternative arrangements for all guests with future arrangements to contact a dedicated line-024 500 0000 for immediate assistance.

A statement issued by the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on Saturday, November 25, said:

'The aircraft skidded off the runway during its take-off run. The aircraft was carrying 63 passengers and five crew. One passenger sustained minor injuries and is currently under observation at the clinic.'

'Emergency procedures have since been activated at the airport and investigations to establish the cause of the incident have begun. Meanwhile, operations at the airport are continuing normally,' it added.

Mr Eric Antwi, the Chief Executive Officer of Starbow, said: 'All of us at Starbow at this time remain dedicated to our guests, our crew and their families. Their safety and wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do, and we will cooperate fully with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and other agencies, to determine the cause of this incident.'

'We hope to be able to provide further information in due course,' he said.

The Aviation Ministry, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Ghana Airports Company Limited, and other agencies are investigating the cause of the incident.

GNA
By Morkporkpor Anku, GNA