It follows the sole operation of Africa World Airlines (AWA) in the domestic aviation sector.

Africa World Airlines became the single company flying domestically after the suspension of operations of Starbow Airlines in December 2017.

The development has since been met with mixed reactions from industry players due to the possible exploitation by the company.

Centre Coordinator for CUTS International, Accra Appiah Kusi Adomako doesn’t have any issue with monopoly but he tells Citi Business News the company would breach international laws when it fails to control its fares.

“AWA should make sure it puts a kind of a cap on its prices for any particular route; that is fares are charged above a particular level regardless of the distance .In that regard we can say that consumers are getting some kind of fairness in the market,” he explained.

Already, AWA has had to bear the brunt of increased passenger volumes during the yuletide where some passengers were stranded at the Tamale airport due to delayed flights.

At the time, the passengers threatened court action over the failure to address their concerns.

In the meantime, consumers are highly anticipating the commencement of operations of Baby Jet Airlines by June this year.

The Director General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Simon Allotey earlier explained to Citi Business News the role it will play in deepening competition.

“If the company works very hard and their manuals are found satisfactory and they have the aircraft they intend to operate and assuming all things are in place, then within six months they can complete the certification process,” he said.

For Mr. Appiah Adomako Kusi, Ghana should also expedite processes to pass the competition law to address any teething issues bordering on monopoly.

“We are hoping that the document can easily go to Parliament for the House to deliberate on it and also get stakeholder input and subsequently passed into law. But as an organization, we are working with all agencies to ensure that we get a competition law passed this year,” he reiterated.

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By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Consumer group cautions against AWA’s monopoly appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The start of the company’s operations will however be subject to maximum cooperation with the industry regulators within the said time frame.

The Director General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Simon Allotey confirmed the airline’s cooperation so far to Citi Business News.

“If the company works very hard and their manuals are found satisfactory and they have the aircraft they intend to operate and assuming all things are in place, then within six months they can complete the certification process,” he said.

Baby Jet Airlines, owned by Black Stars Captain Asamoah Gyan, has since commenced processes to obtain an Air Operator’s Certificate.

This comes after being granted an Air Carrier License some couple of months ago.

The process to secure an Air Operator Certificate comprises about five separate steps.

These range from providing business operation manuals, aircraft acquisition, crew and management information, among others.

Mr. Allotey however maintains that most airline companies have been compelled to delay the process during stages where they need to acquire airlines.

“Sometimes some of these airlines go through phases one to three and delay at the fourth phase because they delay in acquiring aircrafts. But mostly on the average, most of the airlines take twelve to eighteen months to complete the process,” he added.

Baby Jet Airlines will be the third local airline when it eventually rolls out.

The Director General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Simon Allotey explains that the move should also boost domestic air travel.

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By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Baby Jet airlines to start business in 2018 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The airline, Baby Jet Airlines,  is expected to commence operations soon.

[contextly_sidebar id=”9cdAle4dvX977k82FhwR3KurmOWJdW6j”]This was announced by President Akufo-Addo at the 2017 African Airshow at the Kotoka International Airport.

Reports suggest that the company will commence operations with cargo handling, before expanding subsequently to airlift travelers.

It is, however, unclear whether the Airline will be solely focused on domestic travels and cargo handling, or will operate within the sub-region or serve as an international airline.

The news comes after an announcement by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government that it is opening up Ghana’s local airline industry to attract more players and drive competition.

President Akufo-Addo in his address at the airshow said, “I’ve been reliable informed that the Captain of our senior national football team, the Black Stars, Asamoah Gyan, Baby Jet has obtained an air carrier license and is working feverishly to establish an airline, obviously called Baby Jet airlines. I want to call on other Ghanaians both home and abroad to invest in the rapidly growing aviation sector.”

Domestic airfare drops… as 17.5% VAT is removed

The measures included a removal of the 17.5% VAT on domestic air tickets.

Also, efforts have been made to keep the price of aviation fuel at competitive rates in relation to Ghana’s peers within the sub-region.

President Akufo Addo has also set an ambitious target to make Ghana an aviation hub within the West African sub-region.

About 126 exhibitors and 300 African and International attendees are participating in the 3-day event which opened on Tuesday, October 24, 2017.

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By: Jonas Nyabor & Sammi Wiafe/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Asamoah Gyan obtains license to operate Baby Jet Airlines appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.