The Ministry of Transport has dispelled reports that Italy’s national carrier, Alitalia suspended operations in Ghana due to the high cost of operations in the country.
[contextly_sidebar id=”t8ELt014YjD6OOzfDhYYVZ5Ci0YA46Aq”]Citi Business News has gathered that Alitalia has suspended direct flights to Accra because of rising cost operations, which has been compounded by the high prices of aviation fuel and Airport taxes in Ghana.
The new development brings the total number of airlines that have suspended their operations in Ghana to four with the others three being United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Brussels Airlines.
Speaking to Citi Business News the Chief Director of the Ministry of Transport, Tumasi – Ankrah Selby said the cost of operation in Accra is competitive compared to other airports in the West African sub-region.
“It has not been formally communicated to us but base on our policy of creating a hub it is our desire that more airlines will fly into Accra and therefore if some of the airlines are leaving Accra is not too good. But again there are reasons why they may pull out of Accra either on business grounds or other reasons than on the grounds of high cost of operations.”
He adds that ‘in the case of Brussels Airlines they had to stop flying to Accra because the airline had been acquired by Lufthansa Airlines who were already flying into Accra, Ghana and could not have Brussels Airlines also flying to Accra.
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By: Norvan Acquah – Hayford/citifmonline.com/Ghana