Afra Airlines to start domestic and West African flights ....

... In co-operation with CTK-CiTylinK

Accra, Ghana ? Afra Airlines and CTK-CiTylinK, both Accra-based airlines, today announced they have entered into a cooperative agreement that will enable new flight services for domestic Ghanaian routes and open West African regional routes.

The new service, called AfraCityLink, starts domestic services from 15th February 2005 and commences its West African regional routes in March.

Capt. Tei Azu, Executive Director of CTK- CiTylinK said today, ?The name AfraCityLink was the obvious choice as it aptly describes what we do ? we link African cities. AfraCityLink plans to expand to become the preferred link between African cities beginning with the West African Sub-Region from our base in Accra. We are pleased to join forces with to enable this expansion of services in Ghana and the sub-region?
Representatives of and CTK- CiTylinK signed their joint cooperation and code share agreement in Accra today.
Capt. Paul Forjoe, Managing Director of said, ?Within Ghana, AfraCityLink?s immediate goal is to increase the flight frequency to Kumasi and to expand with new services from Accra to Tamale and Sunyani. On the West African regional front, this alliance will make possible the launch of West Coast destinations like Monrovia, Freetown, Lagos, Banjul, Lome, Cotonou, Abidjan, Bamako and Ouagadogou.?
Headquartered in Accra, Afra Airlines is a new consumer airline focused on providing seamless, efficient and low-cost air transport services to and from destinations within Ghana, Africa, Europe and North America. was recently awarded its Air Carriers license for cargo and passenger operations by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and an Air Tour Operators License from the Ghana Tourist Board.
CTK Network Aviation Ltd is a multi-purpose airline company offering executive air charter, general aviation, aerial photography, medical evacuation and scheduled airline services to the Ghanaian and West African business community and public.
CTK Network Aviation Ltd, which has been in existence for the past 11 years, introduced domestic flights in Ghana under the trade name of CiTylinK on Thursday, September 18, 2003 plying the Accra-Kumasi route. CTK Network Aviation Ltd presently operates five (5) aircraft. Four are fully owned and the fifth, a Let 410-UVP is on lease.
CTK Network Aviation Ltd was awarded its West African regional route designation by the Ghana Government on 10th June 2004 and is poised to commence operations from its hub in Accra shortly with the introduction of two (2) regional jet aircraft and one 30 to 40-seat turbojet aircraft with the assistance of Afra Airlines.
CTK?s stated policy is to pioneer and enhance the aviation experience and awareness in the West African sub region ? and the route expansion and cooperation agreement with Afra Airlines announced today is a pragmatic expression of that business strategy.
CTK was founded in May 1994 by two Ghanaian pilots, a Dutch engineer and a Photogrammetrist. Their sound management, along with extensive worldwide experience in their specialized fields, has enabled the company to grow a single Cessna 206 in 1994 to its present fleet of five (5) aircraft ? a further two (2) regional jet aircraft and one 30 to 40-seat turbojet aircraft are now planned to be added over the next two months with the assistance of Afra Airlines.
Mr. Koos Vlaar, Director of CTK? CiTylinK said, ?CiTylinK and Afra Airlines are excited at the prospect of providing the traveling public with a new, viable, reliable and direct alternative.? Mr. Vlaar went on to announce the new theme for the joint operations as ?AfraCityLink: Linking African Cities in Style?
Mr. Luke Butler, Executive Chairman and CEO of Afra Airlines stated, ?Afra Airlines is building a network. Through this joint endeavor we aim to better serve the ECOWAS region and at the same time to set the foundation to be able to offer regional and domestic links in support of the Ministry of Tourism?s initiatives for linking Ghana and West African destinations together with our long haul international destinations. Afra Airlines is committed to punctuality, reliability, value and the delivery of uniquely African hospitality. Our cooperation and code-share agreement today makes possible the launch of our domestic and regional services under the AfraCityLink banner.?