Indigenous airline, Africa World Airlines (AWA), the only airline currently providing domestic air services in the country, has increased its flight frequency between Accra and Kumasi, and Accra-Tamale, to help meet the increased demand.

This follows the suspension of operations of Starbow–the second domestic airline operator.

AWA has increased its Accra-Kumasi-Accra service from 5x per day to 6x per day. The airline has also increased its Accra-Tamale-Accra service from 4x per day to 5x per day.

Richard Kyereh, Head of Commercial for AWA told AviationGhana that "we have increased our frequency to help with the demand since the suspension of flight by Starbow. Accra-Kumasi-Accra has been increased from 5x per day to 6x per day. Accra-Tamale-Accra has also been increased from 4x per day to 5x per day".

Suspension of Starbow’s service

Starbow has suspended its operations with immediate effect following an incident involving one of its Accra-Kumasi bound flight, Flight S9 104, on November 25, 2017, at 12:45, local time.

The Accra-based airline has also made alternative arrangements for all guests with future arrangements to contact a dedicated line-024 500 0000 for immediate assistance.

A statement issued by the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on Saturday, November 25, 2017, said “The aircraft skidded off the runway during its take-off run. The aircraft was carrying 63 passengers and 5 crew. One passenger sustained minor injuries and is currently under observation at the clinic.”

“Emergency procedures have since been activated at the airport and investigations to establish the cause of the incident has begun. Meanwhile, operations at the airport are continuing normally,” the statement added.

“All of us at Starbow at this time remain dedicated to our guests, our crew and their families. Their safety and wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do, and we will cooperate fully with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, and other agencies, to determine the cause of this incident. We hope to be able to provide further information in due course,” the airline’s CEO, Eric Antwi, said in the statement copied to the B&FT.

The Aviation Ministry, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), and other agencies are investigating the cause of the incident.