Reduce airfares – Aviation Minister to Foreign Airlines

Foreign Airlines have been urged to reduce airfares for Ghanaians in the Diaspora who would like to return to the country.

The Aviation Ministry wants special discount airfares advertised by foreign airlines to target Ghanaians as well as expats.

The Aviation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, believes the current development where many expats benefit from discount airfares is not only unfair but also discourages Ghanaians in the Diaspora from coming to the country as frequently as they may want to.

Speaking to Starr Business, Madam Dapaah said many airlines are making huge profits from Africa and must be made to give back.

She said this when the General Manager of Turkish Airlines, Ghana – Ferhat Yerli, paid a courtesy call on her to discuss the Istanbul-based airline’s support for the up-coming maiden African Air Show – scheduled for October 24-26, 2017 – and to announce its special Sales Festival for the Ghanaian market.

“I asked them that whatever special fares they are making; they should extend it to Ghanaians in the Diaspora, those who want to come home from all over the world, so that they can also benefit from the special fares which they have agreed to do.”

“… And they are changing their aircraft to a bigger wide-bodied aircraft which means business is good for them and that is what we wish for all businesses established in Ghana. They will never regret,” Madam Dapaah said.

On his part, Mr. Yerli said the airline has grown its capacity by 75 percent over the last decade, and intends to increase that capacity growth from 75 to 85 percent by December when it deploys a wide-bodied aircraft, an A330, on the Accra-Istanbul route.

He added that his outfit is open to support Ghana’s aviation sector growth through technical collaboration.

“We have just reduced our airfares in our Sales Festival, which is supposed to last for two months and make it possible for many people to travel,” he said.

He explained that under the airline’s two-month long promotion, passengers will enjoy discounted return-fares from Accra to major destinations such as Washington for US$999; Amsterdam, US$539; Dubai, US$549; London, US$639; and New York, US$999.