Passengers flying to Takoradi can now do so with ease and flexibility with the launch of Africa World Airlines (AWA) three-times-weekly flight to Takoradi.

The launch is expected to facilitate travel to and from the city for tourists and business people including the personnel of the oil and gas companies operating in the region.

In line with this, the airline has also teamed up with some hotels, travel agencies and service agencies in the Western Region to offer its passengers a complete package for their trips.

A statement signed by Ms Katherine-Lois Tosan Woode, the Chief Commercial Manager of AWA, said: “With the start of Takoradi, AWA is offering a 5-for-1 deal to our clients. We’ve concluded start-up agreements with five partners to join forces in giving our customers the best of both worlds with our mutually shared standards of excellence”.

The agreements, which she described as a step-change for Ghana’s aviation industry, would allow passengers to pay one fee covering hotel accommodation and tickets as the partner institutions include three hotels, a business customer service establishment and a travel partner.

AWA has also set up ‘Touch Shops’ within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis where passengers could purchase tickets. The locations for AWA Touch Shops include the Busua Beach Hotel, Best Western Atlantic Hotel and the Planters Lodge.

Ms Woode said the addition of Takoradi to AWA’s schedule would help it to continue its regional expansion.

“We also felt that completing the power triangle of Ghana; joining the dots from the northern to Ashanti and Western regions with Tamale, Kumasi and now Takoradi, we would place ourselves in the best position to continue our regional pursuit of flexibility by expanding our market on the west coast from Lagos to other parts.”

She said AWA, in a bid to encourage the travelling public to embrace simpler ways of booking, reservations and payments, was collaborating with Wakanow Travels and Zoobashop online services to offer customers a cashless, online, one-stop-shop to make their travel bookings.

“This is our new way of ensuring we are able to reach our customers directly and lower the costs of reaching them,” she said.

Nana Kobina Nketia V, Omanhene of the Esikado Traditional Area, who cut the tape to unveil AWA’s Takoradi Airport office, said the launch of the flight was an achievement which made it easier for the people of the region to travel.

Group Captain F.A Asante, Base Commander of the Takoradi Airport, said security was a major concern to them at the base and urged AWA to comply with their rules and procedures.