Accra, July 24, GNA - SLOK Air International, a Gambian Private Airline, operating in Ghana will, by the close of September, extend its operations to Central Africa, as part of its efforts to meet the needs of people who transact businesses between the sub region and that part of the continent.

Mr Abdulkareem Idddriss, Country Manager of the airline told the GNA in an interview that, Doula, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea would be the first countries the airline would fly to, after which they would extend their operations to cover other countries. He said, plans were also in place to extend their operations to Kenya in East Africa and South Africa, but added that, that would be implemented after they had concluded arrangements on Central Africa. Mr Iddriss said, his company was currently at the diplomatic level of the arrangements and would soon proceed to the operational aspect of their new venture.

He expressed the hope that the new routes would provide many businesses in the sub region the opportunity to expand their fronts on the continent.

In a related development, the airline has named one of its aircraft after President John Agyekum KufuOr. Mr Iddriss, who disclosed this to the GNA said, the decision was motivated by the high level of leadership qualities displayed by the President.

He said, President Kufuor had also coordinated the activities of the sub region on a sound note, hence the decision to bestow the honour on him.

Mr. Iddriss added that, the company had already honoured other sub regional heads such as Olushegu Obasanjo of Nigeria, Alhaji Yayaha Jammeh of Gambia and it was time for the Ghanaian President to receive his due.

SLOK Air International plies all West African countries except Nigeria. 24 July 05