Business News of Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Source: Citifmonline.com
Operators of Domestic Airlines say they are losing close to GHC 200,000 daily, for not flying their aircrafts.
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) directed all domestic airline operators to cancel flights to Northern regional capital, Tamale as a result of severe harmattan in the area.
Last week, some domestic airlines cancelled flights to Tamale over the bad weather conditions while the Presidential jet was also unable to land, compelling the President to continue his journey by road.
On Saturday, an Ethiopian cargo aircraft crash landed at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA); an accident some local media reports linked to bad weather conditions although the GCAA is currently investigating the matter.
Speaking to Citi News, the Chief Executive Officer of Starbow, James Eric Antwi said the directive is adversely affecting their business operations.
Another domestic airline operator, African World Airline (AWA) has welcomed the directive from the GCAA. The Airline is hopeful the weather condition will change soon for the airlines to resume operations.
Speaking to Citi News, the Chief Operating Officer of African World Airline Appigy Afenu pleaded with air travelers to exercise restraint since the directive will ensure their own safety.
“These are some of the external factors that impact our business. Government is doing its best to upgrade both the runaway and the landing in Tamale. You know this time of the year, the harmattan is heavy and visibility is poor so as a result of that it is always precautionary not to fly across to those kinds of destinations. “