South African Airways stirs competition as it begins Accra/New York direct by end of year
South African Airways is set to stir competition within the aviation industry in the country as it sets its eyes on a direct flight from the Kotoka International Airport in Accra to the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.
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The maiden flight is expected before the end of the year and will be the first African airline to fly direct to the United States of America since the demise of Ghana Airways almost two decades ago.
The Country Director of South African Airways, Mrs Gloria Yirenkyi, announced this in an exclusive interview in Washington DC, US, on Wednesday shortly after the airline had organised a special seminar for selected travel and tour agents from Accra.
The seminar was intended to expose the participants to the various opportunities available for them and also to take feedback from them on their services.
It formed part of efforts by the airline to continuously engage with its key stakeholders as it strives to dominate the aviation industry.
"We may be a new entrant on that route but not a new player in the aviation industry" she said with a lot of confidence on the expectations for the airline.
Strategy
Mrs Yirenkyi said the airline had carefully studied the market and was confident of being a commercial success.
She did not say how many flights would be scheduled in a week but noted that the airline would use its experience on the Washington route to ensure that it gained more market share on the Accra/New York route.
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Presently, Delta is the only airline flying direct on a daily basis from Ghana's capital, a monopoly South African Airways is set to break and dominate in the coming months.
Mrs Yirenkyi said the airline would offer Ghanaians more options on that route with competitive pricing, adding the African touch to its services and ensuring that the image of Africa as a destination of choice would be portrayed to the rest of the world through that service.
Leverage
Many have acknowledged the strategic timing of the arrival and departure times for South African Airways.
The airline arrives in Ghana from DC in the morning, a phenomenon which gives passengers a lot of room for their smooth engagements within the day.
Mrs Yirenkyi said "that is one thing that will be highly leveraged to ensure that Ghanaians interested in business can take advantage of.
"Our luggage allowance is also great and appealing to the people," she said adding that "apart from the two pieces on about 23kilo weight, each person has the opportunity to carry as many as 10 bags, the excess of which will be paid for at a competitive rate.
"We are ready for the challenge and all I can say is to encourage Ghanaians and those in New York and beyond to patronise the services of the airline when it finally commenced operations.