Africa World introduces night flights to Kumasi

Africa World Airlines (AWA) would, on Friday, January 23, launch two daily night flights from Accra to Kumasi.

The flights; AW 120 and 122, were made possible by the recent installation of Aeronautical Ground Lights at the Kumasi Airport.

The move, according to the airline, would mark the launch of an entirely new venture into scheduled night-time operations to and from Ghana’s domestic airports.

A statement issued by the Airline on Monday said the night flights, which were additions to AWA’s daily Accra-Kumasi flights, would, for the first time, allow same day connections from Europe to Kumasi via Accra, a travel option that has been long sought by the tourism industry being promoted in conjunction with the Ghana Tourist Board.

Mr Apiigy Afenu, Chief Operations Officer, said: “This new service adds an exciting new international connecting destination for all travelers and is in line with Africa World Airlines’ mission to expand Ghana to regional and international destinations.”

The flight's schedule would allow for connections with AWA’s flights to and from Frankfurt, South Africa, Amsterdam, London and Istanbul and opens up other convenient travel opportunities to passengers.

It is also now possible, with Africa World being on the international booking engine table via Han-Aire-Alliance, to connect from other airlines such as South African Airways, KLM, Turkish Airlines, TAP Portugal, Lufthansa and other airlines.

“Passengers arriving from overseas will now have same day onward connection access by night to Kumasi on this new flight on a daily basis.

“Passengers who also have business in Kumasi or Accra can arrive in the morning and have enough time to finish all businesses before boarding a night flight as late as 20:40hrs,” he said.

Starting February 28, 2015, AWA would also commence non-stop flights from the Kumasi International Airport to Lagos-Nigeria.

Chief Executive Officer Michael Cheng Luo said: “We are excited about adding flights from Accra to Kumasi and on to Lagos; we know this will become a popular gateway for us, as we have had requests from many passengers who are generally looking for a great deal on a shorter getaway.

“Flying to Accra and waiting overnight before commencing to Kumasi will now become a thing of the past and we are proud to be the first to land scheduled flights into the new Kumasi International Airport using the new night lights and Instrument Landing System.”

The flights would be operated by the EMBRAER flight seating 50 passengers in a single comfortable one class cabin. All passengers will get a free first checked bag, snacks, water and some juice on board.

Special flight packages to and from Kumasi and Accra with fares representative and taxes, start at GH¢ 200.

For a limited time only, passengers would receive a special deal of flying four times and getting the fifth fare for free, valid for travel to and from all AWA destinations.

The Airline acknowledged the help of the Ghana Airport Company Limited, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, and the Ministries of Transport and of Tourism, as well as the Service Departments of Immigration and Customs, for making the new service possible.

Africa World Airlines currently operates a fleet of three ERJ 145 aircrafts to two destinations in Ghana; Kumasi and Tamale, as well as one regional destination- Lagos, Nigeria.