Kotoka International Airport welcomes Air Senegal

The Kotoka International Airport on Monday witness the dramatic traditional water cannon salute to the return of Air Senegal to Ghana after years of withdrawal with the introduction of its maiden direct between Accra and Dakar.

The Maiden flight A319 touched down on Monday, December 16, with 62 passengers.

It would fly to Ghana four times in a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays; departing Dakar at 0200 hours and arriving in Accra at 0530 hours.

Departure from Accra to Dakar is scheduled at 1030 hours on the said days.

Mr Kofi Adda, the Minister of Aviation, who welcomed the Air Senegal crew and authorities, said the reintroduction of the Airline would improve connectivity on the African Continent, which would subsequently feed into Ghana’s quest to having a home-based carrier.

He said the airline industry in Africa went down in the past two to three years but there had been a revival to improve the sector.

He said it was important for Ghana to have a sister African airline resuming operations, meaning that the connectivity on the Continent would be improved.

The Minister encouraged Management to fly frequently to the country adding they would find Ghana a good place to stay.

He said with the reintroduction of flight to the country, it would mean more revenue for the civil aviation authority and more jobs for the people.

Mr Adda said Ghana would become a strong player on the Continent with the commencement of its home-based carrier, which was seeking cabinet approval.

“At this stage, we are waiting for cabinet approval and once that is done, the country can also boast of being ready to start the operations of its home-based carrier. Ghana will play its part in the not long-distance future,” he added.

Mrs Gloria Poku, Ghana’s Ambassador to Senegal, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the relationship between the two countries had been improved as Air Senegal commences direct flights between Dakar and Accra.

This came as a result of the collaborative efforts by the Ghana Embassy in Dakar, which had been in talks with the host Senegalese authorities on the importance of direct flight connection between the two countries, she explained.

Mrs Poku air travel between Ghana and Senegal was either via Lome or Abidjan at exorbitant fares but now the direct flight would help reduce cost and bolster bilateral cooperation in tourism, commerce, and investment among others.

Mr Assane Sambe, Commercial and Marketing Manager of the Airline, said the Airlines reintroduction would drive competition.

Mr Ivan Bruce-Cudjoe, a Representative of the Airline in Ghana, said connectivity had been a problem in Africa and the resumption of Air Senegal would alleviate the hardship of travelers.