GIA fails to fly on maiden trip

The Ghana International Airlines, GIA is yet to fly, contrary to reports that the airline was ready to carry its first group of passengers to Lagos.

A report in the state-owned Daily Graphic last week indicated that the airline was ready to begin operations.

Many Ghanaians and airline watchers were therefore keen on seeing the new carrier, which has replaced Ghana Airways; embark on its maiden flight to Lagos last night.

But this was not to be. GIA?s vice President in charge of Public Affairs, Sam Crabbe told JOY NEWS, statements about the company?s operations have been misconstrued.

?Basically we never indicated that the GIA will be flying its own aircraft today. What we sought to convey was that we begin to provide services based on our commercial agreement.

? It was not like you can go to the airport today and see an inaugural flight because we know that our commercial partner Lufthansa already has a schedule between Accra and Lagos,? he said

Asked if GIA has any aircraft, Mr Crabbe said, ? Well I don?t know what you mean by that. No we don?t intend to won, we intend to lease aircrafts and we have signed some MOUs for those aircrafts that we will be using.?

Mr Crabbe said once documentations are perfected the airline will be fleeting passengers to Europe on its own aircraft by October29, 2005.