Domestic airlines to fly half empty to help social distancing on planes

Domestic airlines operators have put plans in place to fly with planes half empty to enforce social distancing

This move comes after the resumption of domestic flights after about a month of inactivity due to the three-week partial lockdown imposed on Accra and parts of the Ashanti Region.

Citibusiness reports of a visit to the Terminal 2 of the Kotoka International Airport to assess the preparedness of the airlines to operate amidst the covid-19 pandemic.

Domestic flight movement resumed on Friday, May 1, 2020, although international passenger flights are still barred operating in Ghana’s airspace except for the movement of cargo.

According to citibusiness, at least twelve flights took off from Accra to Kumasi and Tamale and vice versa, between Friday, May 1st and Sunday, May 3rd.

The Sales and Marketing Manager for Passion Air, Samuel Razak Tachie, says the newly introduced flying protocols will enhance safety.

“As soon as you enter the terminal building, you have a mandatory temperature check and you proceed to sanitize your hands. At the check-in counter, there are also markings on the floor [2 meters apart] which allows passengers to ensure social distancing while checking in or purchasing their tickets at the airport,” he said.

Mr. Tachie also explained the reduced passenger numbers and the impact they anticipate that will have on the company’s profit margins.

“Our aircraft has a capacity of 78, and based on the issue of social distancing, our numbers have reduced considerably. We used to have four passengers on a row but now, we take two passengers on a row.”

The news portal was also informed that the pandemic has led to the employment of new set of personnel such as public health officers who are to disinfect the aircraft before and after each flight.

With Ghana’s case count hitting 2,169 as at Saturday, May 2, 2020, the patronage of domestic airlines is equally yet to see a pick-up.