Delta Airlines Ready To Support New Ghana Airways

Delta Airlines says it would support the government’s ambition of creating a new national carrier to tap into the growth of the aviation industry in the sub-region.

Mr. Perry A. Cantarutti, the Senior Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa said partnering government to create a new national carrier “is something that Delta would be willing to entertain.”

“Having a robust local aviation industry and national airline is really to our benefit. The geography of Accra is well-suited to serve that of western part of Africa so if that can be developed as an offering it would be complementary to what Delta does.”

He was speaking to the BFT online after a media briefing to announce the American carriers’ partnership with the Ghana Red Cross Society to distribute 4,000 insecticide mosquito nets to 8,000 beneficiaries in the Greater Accra and Upper East regions.

The country has tried on two occasions and failed to operate a national carrier. The Ministry of Transport, which has an oversight responsibility of the aviation sector, is currently in talks to engage a transactional advisor to advise government on the establishment of a national carrier.

Cantarutti also said that the airline would be increasing its flight frequency from Accra to Brazil via New York during the World Cup to be held in the South American country from June 12 to July 13, 2014.