The Kotoka International Airport is gradually becoming the hub of air transport in the West African sub-region as nine new international airlines have expressed interest to operate in Ghana in the near future.

The Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Doreen Fianko, who disclosed this in Accra during the official launch of Turkish Airlines’ inaugural flight to Ghana last Friday, said the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) had just concluded bilateral air services agreement with the airlines, noting that some of the airlines were even ready to build their own terminal facilities.

She said the airlines that are making feverish preparations to Ghana would come from countries such as China, Singapore, Qatar, Brazil, among others.
Over the past few months, the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) has been blessed with the inauguration of a number of flights to Accra, namely Asky from Togo, Delta’s new flight from Atlanta (USA), United Airlines, from Washington (USA), Virgin Atlantic from London, Brussels Airlines from Belgium and the Turkish Airlines from Istanbul (Turkey), which is the latest.

“This is an endorsement of the world’s confidence in the Ghanaian economy, especially in the wake of the oil and gas find which is a catalyst for growth in airline passenger and cargo traffic,” Ms. Fianko stated, assuring Ghanaians that her outfit was putting in place the necessary facilities to handle all these new flights.

The Managing Director of GACL stated that the final designs for the terminal expansion of KIA would be completed by the end of the year to pave way for the construction.

Ms. Fianko welcomed Turkish Airlines and wished them pleasant and successful operations in the country.

The first flight of Turkish Airlines operated from Istanbul on July 15, 2010 at 2.15pm and arrived in Accra at 8.35pm on the same day via Lagos, Nigeria.
This brings to two the number of airlines connecting Accra via Lagos as Lufthansa Airlines until recently had connected both cities with its hub in Frankfurt, Germany.
The airlines would fly on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in both directions.

Its roundtrip airfares would be offered at 498 Euros, including taxes, between Istanbul and Accra until August 15, 2010.

The Director of Turkish Airlines, Accra, Engrin Akbas said: “We are glad to announce the beginning of operations to Accra, Ghana in July so as to allow more of our teeming passengers to fly to West Africa with us.

“The flight will commence from Istanbul, Turkey, carrying passengers in Lagos, Nigeria, and Accra, Ghana. Passengers in Lagos will be dropped first, while the flight continues to Accra and back to Lagos for the return journey to Istanbul.”

Turkish Airlines currently operates to Dakar, Senegal; Entebbe, Uganda and Dar Es Salam, Tanzania, Kenya and Central Africa Region.
Established in 1933, Turkish Airlines is the fastest growing carrier in the world.

The four-star airline company has a fleet of 142 aircraft, flying to 166 destinations around the world, which includes 39 domestic and 127 international destinations.

Meanwhile, the Turkish government has assured Ghanaian businessmen and women that plans were far advanced to open an Embassy in Accra by September this year to process their visas.

By Felix Dela Klutse

Source: Daily Guide/Ghana