Accra, Dec. 17, GNA - The Virgin Atlantic Group of Airlines is to extend its activities in Ghana with the coming of the New Year, Paul Dickinson, Global Director of Sales and Marketing has said in Accra. He said the performance of Virgin Atlantic Airline, which started operations in Ghana in May this year in the country, had been encouraging especially with the support of the Government of Ghana and the media. "With the support of government and other stakeholders, we are expecting a huge improvement in our operations, especially with the increasing numbers of Ghanaian traders, who patronise the aviation market between Ghana and Europe".

Briefing journalists in Accra on Friday, Mr Dickinson said, that would be one big reason for the Group to increase its flights between London and Accra this winter during the peak travel period as well as the coming year and subsequent ones.

"We are also pleased with our operations and the number of routes we have so far".

Mr Dickinson said though last year was very difficult and tough for the aviation industry, the Airline "is breaking even with the normal operations in the considerably short period of operations in the country as compared to others, which took between four to six years to make the same impact. "For this we say we are grateful," he said during the briefing that attracted a high powered representation from the Airline made up of Jon Harding, General Manager, International and Distribution, Nick Taylor, Regional Country Manager for West Africa.

Others at the briefing were, John Adebanjo, Chief Executive Officer, Aviation Logistics Management Limited and Tosan Woode, Head of Sales and Marketing, Ghana all of whom took turns to address the journalists. As part of the expansion programme, Mr Dickinson said, the management of the Airline was considering recruiting Ghanaians to join its crew, which was currently made up of only whites.

The move would be in conformity with what pertains in other destinations of the Airline including Lagos in Nigeria, Kenya in Nairobi, Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa to mention a few of its flight destinations. 17 Dec. 10