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Business News of Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Source: Al-Hajj

Togbe Afede’s Airline Takes Delivery of Second Aircraft

Togbe Afede XIV , Chief Executive officer of Strategic African Securities (SAS) together with Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the Hainan Airlines of China, operators of a newly launched airline, Africa World Airlines, have been commended for taking a bold step and living up to expectation.

The Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Air Commodore Mamphey made the commendation at launch of Africa World Airlines in Accra. He said the new airline had met all the rigorous processes and procedures needed to operate commercial flights in the country but cautioned that, his outfit will keep on scrutinizing its activities to ensure that it met all safety requirements.

Africa World Airlines (AWA), a new domestic airline which will also operate in the West African sub-region has taken delivery of its second jet, a 50-seater Embraer ERJ – 145LR aircraft on Saturday, September 8. The delivery of this second aircraft follows the successful delivery and launching of the airline’s first aircraft, also, an Embraer ERJ-145 LR on August 30.

Togbe Afede XIV in a statement preceding the jets’ arrival said “The arrival of this second aircraft sets the stage for Africa World Airlines to operate optimally in the domestic market to the delight of its patrons.”

According to the airline, its scheduled flight services will start on September 21 and that the receipt of the second aircraft completes the equipment requirements of the first phase of the planned hub and spoke model of Africa World Airlines. With the launch of Africa World Airlines (AWA), Ghana now has five domestic airlines operating in the country. The others are Starbow, Fly 540, Citylink and Antrak.

According to the Founder of the Airline, Togbe Afede XIV, with this second acquisition of an aircraft, the airline is expected to fly to West African cities including Ouagadougou, Abidjan, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcout, Dakar and Banjul.

“We will now focus our energies on the second phase, which should facilitate a smooth expansion of the airlines’ operations into the West African sub-region and beyond,” Togbe Afede said. He said the airline’s operation in the country would open the West African sub-region by linking the region to other parts of the world. With additional files from GNA