Moves to revamp domestic airline services

Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, Minister of Transport and Communication, on Friday said that the ministry is perusing a programme to revamp the airline industry, particularly the domestic air services, which have come to a stand still after varied experiences by both Ghana Airways and the private sector.

"The government of Ghana therefore expects that well established airlines such as Swissair and South African Airways will share their experiences in developing domestic and regional services by establishing domestic and sub-regional carriers either on their own or in partnership with Ghana Airways or other Ghanaian entrepreneurs."

Inaugurating the new joint offices of Swissair and South African Airways in Accra, he appealed to the airlines to explore the possibility of investing in other areas such as establishing aircraft maintenance facilities in the country to cater for the sub-region.

Mr Bodo von Alvensleben of Swissair explained that the two airlines have much in common. "We have both been awarded prizes for delivering the best customer service in our respective parts of the world.

"Since Swissair has acquired a 20 per cent share of South African Airways in mid 1999, we have adjusted our respective schedules between South Africa and Switzerland to complement each other," he said.

Mr Maurice Phohleli, Regional Manager of South African Airways, said the success of South African Airways is assisted by "our code share partner Ghana Airways in that it allows them to sell on our aircraft in South Africa''.

He said Ghana is the only country in West Africa where South African Airways has decided to install a full office and represent the airline directly to its customers.