Ghana Airways plans more routes

Accra, (Greater Accra) 17 Feb. '99,

Ghana Airways yesterday described its operations during last year as "record breaking" and said it plans to fly to Dubai and Toronto by the end of June as part of its strategies and targets for this year. A statement issued in Accra by the Airline said plans are far advanced to fly to Atlanta, Las Palmas, Douala and Luanda and further announcements would be made in due course. "Ghana Airways is poised to effect strategies and policies to maximise shareholder value. This is management's objective in the run up to privatisation." The statement said the airline has plans to develop a vibrant cargo business and a general improvement in its overall customer care. "The formation of strategic alliances will play a major part in ensuring the airline expands satisfactorily and efficiently. The strategic alliances will also facilitate the creation of a hub in Accra as well as improve the airline's punctuality and reliability record." The statement said an exercise code-named "Operation Alpha-Zulu", which was launched as a pilot scheme to solve problems experienced by passengers during peak periods would be institutionalised to smoothen the airline's operations. The areas are customer care, back-up for scheduled flights to ensure higher reliability, punctuality and efficient baggage handling at all airports. The Airline has maintained a steady increase in passengers since 1993 when it carried 153,000 passengers to last year when there were 271,000 passengers. This year, it is targeting 295,000 passengers. "The Airline achieved a quantum increase in passenger numbers between 1997 and 1998. This was a direct result of strategies being adopted by Management to develop Accra into a hub," the statement said. Ghana Airways carried 182,000 passengers in 1994, 188,000 in 1995, 197,000 in 1996 and 193,000 in 1997. It attributed the slight drop in that year to the suspension of its West Coast operations when it lost its West Coast plane in a minor accident in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. A survey conducted over the period immediately before and after the last Christmas season indicated that passengers on Ghanair flights were more satisfied with arrangements connected with their travel than at previous peaks. "Delays and flight cancellations were rare because of short notice arrangements purposely made to ensure customer satisfaction. "Complaints and claims for lost, missing or delayed baggage were considerably lessened because of extra efforts by the dedicated staff, additional cargo flights and improved security arrangements." The statement said these successes were achieved to a large measure by the concern of management and staff that ensured customer friendly operations during the Christmas peak period.