The first aircraft of Africa World Airlines, the newest operator on the domestic and international scene, touched down at the tarmac of the Kotoka International Airport from China yesterday.

The 50-seater jet engine, Embraer aircraft, with registration number 9G-AET, arrived at exactly 11:30 am to begin operations, admist pomp and pageantry. The aircraft, the first of two expected to serve the domestic market, was baptized with water from two fire tenders of the Ghana Airport Company Limited as a sign of welcome.

It has a white background with the red, gold and green colours of Ghana at the tail. Africa World would officially launch its domestic operations on September 21, the birthday of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, with a flight from Accra to Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale.

The founder of Africa World Airlines, Togbe Afede XIV, said the arrival of the aircraft was a dream comes true.

He said the airline was committed to offering quality and affordable services, thus making a difference in the West African sub-region.

“We intend to link all the cities in the sub-region and make Accra the hub of aviation in West Africa,” he said.

Togbe Afede, also Agbogbomefia of Asogli State and Chief Executive of SAS Finance Group, said the airline was ready to offer a healthy competition in the industry and commended the crew and Ghanaian professionals for assisting to make the dream a reality.

The Chief Planning Officer of the Ministry of Transport, Twumasi-Ankra Selby, said the arrival of Africa World marked a milestone in the annals of the airline industry.

He said it would help improve air transport and address the problems associated with connectivity within the West African sub-region.

The Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Air Commodore Kwame Mamphey (rtd), said the airline would give passengers the alternatives to use from.

He said the safety of passengers remained the cornerstone of the operations of the authority, adding that “we would ensure that Africa World conforms to the prescribed safety standards.”

The General Manager of SAS Finance Group, Apiigy Afenu, said the second aircraft would arrive in the country on September 8.

Other stakeholders of Africa World are SSNIT (Ghana), HNA Group (CHINA) and China-Africa Development Fund.

Source: The Ghanaian Times