Antrak Air acquires designation to begin flights to Saudi Arabia

Accra, July 18, GNA - Antrak Air, an Accra based airline, says it has acquired the necessary designation to begin flying into Saudi Arabia, Chairman Alhaji Asoma Banda announced on Thursday.

Speaking at a passing out ceremony for new cabin crew and dispatch officers, Alhaji Banda said the letter for the airline's designation to fly to the Kingdom was handed over to the company on Wednesday. However, there are still some technical details, including the aircraft to use, to deal with before flight operations could begin to Saudi Arabia.

"All things been equal, we hope to get over these technical hurdles before the beginning of this year's Hajj," Alhaji Banda assured. The airline expects to make two weekly flights to the Kingdom when operations finally kick-off.

Antrak started operations in September 2003 and operates scheduled domestic, regional and international services, as well as charter services in West Africa. Currently, the airline's domestic destinations are Kumasi and Tamale. It also has international flights to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso.

"I am delighted that my vision to create jobs and help the teeming youth is coming into fruition," he said and called on government to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Touching on the development of the airline industry, Alhaji Banda called for partnership among local entrepreneurs to ensure that Ghana got back her category one status that allowed Ghanaian registered carriers to fly directly to the United States with Ghanaian pilots and cabin crew.

This status was withdrawn about three years ago by the Federal Aviation Authority of the USA due to safety concerns. "My appeal is to the Ministry of Aviation and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to do all within their power to get the category one status to be restored," he said. Mr. Simon Allotey, Acting Director General GCAA, said the deficiencies that led to the withdrawal of the category one status had all been dealt with through training and strict enforcement of maintenance procedures by Inspectors.

"We have stepped up our training for safety inspectors while ensuring that adequate supervision and enforcement measures are undertaken to restore the confidence in the country as the safest destination for air services operations," he said. Despite these measures, he said, the category one status would only be restored when there was a willing Ghanaian carrier ready to fly into the US.

"I am afraid if none of the three Ghanaian registered carriers do not take it on themselves to fly into the US the status will be the same," he emphasized.

Mr. Allotey said GCAA, as the regulator, would work hand in hand with the operators to ensure a sustainable growth and development in the aviation industry.

Mr. George Scott, Chief Director, Ministry of Aviation, commended Antrak Air for its contribution to the growth of the industry in the country.

He urged the domestic airline carriers to be safety conscious by adhering to routine maintenance and security checks to meet international standards.

In all, 14 cabin crew and seven dispatch officers graduated.