First London-Kumasi direct flight lands on Friday

The first direct flight from London Gatwick Airport to Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi is scheduled to land on Friday, December 6, 2024, at approximately 9 am local time.

Ethiopian Airlines will operate a Boeing 737-800 with a capacity for 154 passengers, comprising 16 Business Class and 138 Economy Class seats. The return flight will depart from Prempeh International Airport on December 15, 2024.

This being the first at the recently inaugurated airport, the preparedness and capacity of grounding upon touchdown of the B737-800 have been raised.

Mark Kamis, Managing Director of Aviance Ghana, the only ground handling company servicing the Kumasi Airport, says they are well equipped and ready for the flight.

“This week, Ethiopian Airlines is operating a flight from Kumasi to Gatwick (London), which we will be handling at Kumasi. We have the capacity, machinery and personnel to handle the said flight,” Mr Kamis said on the sidelines of Aviance Ghana’s 30th-anniversary media launch at the Adinkra Lounge, Terminal 2 of the Kotoka International Airport.

He noted that the company is also now present in Tamale and committed to offering the same world-class service it is renowned for in Accra’s Kotoka International Airport.

“We are also in Kumasi and Tamale Airports. We have obtained licenses for every airport in Ghana except Takoradi Airport, which is a military base. We have already engaged with several airlines.

The industry is booming now. New airlines are entering the market, like Virgin Atlantic, which will begin operations in Ghana next year. For Aviance, the future looks bright, and we’re well-positioned for continued growth,” he added.

Looking ahead, Aviance is embracing technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance efficiency.

“We are going from strength to strength and moving toward more AI-driven solutions. For instance, we used to rely on manual minute-taking during meetings; now, AI tools streamline these processes, allowing us to focus on strategic decisions,” he noted, expressing optimism about the company’s potential to remain a domestic ground handling industry leader.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Aviance Ghana has planned a series of activities, including a social media campaign and community service projects like airport clean-ups. Additional events will include sporting activities, uniform-themed days, and managerial participation in operational roles to engage employees and honour their contributions.

The festivities will culminate on December 18, 2024, with a grand celebration recognising the company’s achievements and laying out its future direction.