Air Shuttle Expands Domestic Charter Route

 Air Shuttle, a leading and reliable domestic airline operator, has announced the commencement of new regular charters between Accra and Kumasi aimed at providing world-class commercial and charter services to individuals and corporate bodies to facilitate commercial activities.


The new route, which takes effect from 30th of March, is to provide efficient and reliable flight services linking the major commercial cities and towns in Ashanti, Western, Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions to Accra.


Managing Director of Air Shuttle Inc Ghana, Mr. Chaka Azu, said the new routes were selected to meet the safety needs of clients in order to provide an enabling environment for transacting business.

“Kumasi and Takoradi were selected as the preferred destination for Ghana operations in view of the oil and gas exploration activities as well as the huge commercial and economic markets booming in the Ashanti region”, he told B&FT in an interview.


Air Shuttle’s current operation with its Embraer 110 aircraft into Takoradi gives it approximately 32 hours aircraft utilisation per month with another 30 taken up by ad-hoc charters sustained over a period of time.  Its flight expansion to Kumasi from Accra is set to connect to Takoradi under its second phase, which will require larger aircraft. Phase three of the operation will also include flight services to Tamale, and subsequently to Wa and Navrongo.

The airline has proposed a promotional return ticket price of US$160.00 for its Accra-Kumasi route and intends to ply this route thrice a week. It is also providing services from Kumasi to Takoradi on a return price per seat of US$240.00 in its quest to ensure convenience for clients.


Mr. Azu said after the airline’s planned expansion to network the entire country next year, it will also extend its commercial and corporate services to the sub-regional market - including Monrovia, Dakar, Abidjan, Banjul, Lome , Lagos and Ouagadougou.
 
In a bid to ensure efficiency in booking and reservation, a web-page software was developed to facilitate seat reservation and mail ticketing. This, the Managing Director said, is in line with world-class aviation standards, meant to ensure convenience and safety to clients.
 
“Air Shuttle’s regular charters are programmed in collaboration with the clients and charter partners, creating convenience in connecting international flights for both personnel coming into Ghana or leaving for other destinations,” Mr. Azu added.
 
Since it was issued Air Operations Certificate (AOC), in August 2009, Air Shuttle’s corporate services subscription has grown to include multinationals such as Schlumberger, Cosmos Energy, Bakerhughes, Expo Gulf, and Steller Group. It has also spread its client base by extending charter services to Supermaritime, Global Energy, Ocean Rig, International S.O.S, among others.
 
The airline, as of March this year, has 14 charter travel and tour partners across the country and is also the only commercial operator providing flight services to and from Takoradi in the Western Region of the country.  

Source: Business and Financial Times.