Newest domestic carrier offers lowest fares

After an inaugural flight from Accra to Kumasi on August 21, Passion Air entered the domestic space on Thursday, August 23, with the lowest fares.

The entry of Passion Air ends Africa World Airline’s (AWA) monopoly, by default, in the domestic air travel market.

The new carrier will eventually, in addition to the Accra-Kumasi-Accra route, shuttle the Accra-Takoradi-Accra; and Accra-Tamale-Accra routes.

Passion will currently run three daily flights on the Accra-Kumasi route. The other routes will begin in September.

For now, the second indigenous carrier will rely on a 78-seater aircraft, Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, for its operations. A second and third aircraft will be added to make it a total of three by end of the year.

Passion Air’s Chief Operating Officer Mr. Idi Donald Maswaure, told the Goldstreet Business that the company has joined the business not to engage in ‘unhealthy competition’ but to provide an alternative source of domestic air transport to Ghanaians.

“We have arrived to offer quality, affordable and one of a kind service to the Ghanaian public with the promise to always consider the customer as our number one stakeholder”, Mr. Maswaure said.

The coming in of Passion has, therefore, ended the monopoly enjoyed by the Africa World Airlines (AWA) which has, for almost a year, been the only domestic airline servicing the Accra-Kumasi-Accra; Accra-Takoradi-Accra; and Accra-Tamale-Accra routes, after the collapse of Starbow in November 2017.

It is expected that domestic air travellers would now have options to choose from with regard to service delivery and ticket fares.

Commercial Manager for Passion Air, Anita Khoury, disclosed that the company charges as low as GHS402 for round trips from Accra to Kumasi, which is more affordable than what AWA charges.

Currently, AWA charges GHS394 for one-way, from Accra to Kumasi with a return trip estimated at GHS800 depending on the time of booking.

With an initial operation of three return flights from Accra to Kumasi, Passion Air is expected to increase to five and eventually peak at seven return flights daily.

The Director General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Mr. Simon Allotey, and commended Passion on their decision to commence full domestic commercial operations in Ghana said GCAA is delighted to welcome them to their fold.

He was hopeful the company will provide the needed competition and an alternative to the travelling public with connectivity and affordability in terms of fares.