As a result, it is demanding a thorough audit into the operations of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

The civil society group maintains that the failure by the GCAA to comply with a caution on the quality of the pilot seat of a Starbow aircraft, partly accounted for the accident that occurred in November last year.

The comments also follow the investigative report on the cause and recommendations into the incident by an ad-hoc committee.

The Executive Director of the Bureau of Public Safety, Nana Yaw Akwadah tells Citi Business News the issue must be taken seriously.

“We are calling on the ICAO to immediately open an audit into the activities and practices of the GCAA just so we know whether they are complying with the minimum standards by ICAO; we have also called for them to provide us with the recent audit report on the GCAA for study so that we can assure ourselves and the public of their safety,” he told Citi Business News.

A Kumasi bound Starbow aircraft skidded off the runway at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on that fateful day; November 25, 2017.

All passengers and crew members were however able to escape unhurt.

The issue led to the commissioning of an investigative committee.

But subsequently, Starbow which had only one aircraft operating at the time, suspended activities and asked almost all of the workers of the company to go home, albeit temporarily.

The investigative committee has since completed its work but the Bureau of Public Safety maintains that the officials of the GCAA neglected an earlier safety precaution.

“The Bureau of Public Safety has come to the firm conclusion that the unfortunate incident which may have cost over sixty-eight lives could have been prevented had the regulator i.e. Ghana Civil Aviation Authority ensured that an earlier issued air worthiness directive (AD No. 2016-0256) regarding the seats of the pilot and the co-pilot were implemented,” portions of the statement indicated.

The consumer group added, “We found it extremely worrying that investigators having established evidential and unambiguous violation on the part of the GCAA still went ahead to fault only Starbow (i.e the operator) and the flight crew without any recommendations whatsoever for the regulator (i.e. GCAA).”

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By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

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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 plane, which was carrying some passengers to Kumasi skidded off the runway and crashed into a fence at the KIA. Investigations into the incident are still ongoing.

[contextly_sidebar id=”8gkxY4PylbQWamUQneHuzsPcpQZojrC1″]But Kwame Agbodza, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Adaklu constituency, told Citi Business News that the Minister of Aviation must brief parliament on the state of the domestic aviation industry.

He stated that it is important for the minister to assure Ghanaians of the safety of domestic airlines.

“I have filed a question in parliament for the minister to brief us on the cause of the accident and to reassure the nation that our air space is still safe. Don’t forget we have a relatively safe record in terms of the aviation industry,” he said.

Touching on a recent action taken by Starbow to dismiss some workers, Mr. Agbodza was of the view that, it is important for the company to undertake the exercise within the confines of the  labour laws, so it does not infringe on the rights of the workers.

“The recent problems with laying off of people. Starbow is a privately owned business, they can do whatever is just with their business, provided it is within the ambient of the law”.

The MP, however, raised concerns over challenges that have hit the domestic aviation industry, pointing out that, it is a setback to all the government’s assurances about the sector.

“I don’t want to believe that an industry that we are told is growing because of government intervention, and that things are getting better, all of a sudden we are seeing people being laid off”.

He stated that it is important for the minister to address the issues since the move taken by Starbow will leave the workers worse off.

“Some of the workers are complaining of a possible breach of their right. It is a serious matter. I will ask Starbow to look closely at the kind of agreement they have with their staff so that they don’t do anything unfair to them,” he advised.

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By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Minority want Aviation Minister summoned over Starbow accident appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

It is unclear how many workers have been dismissed, but Citi Business News has gathered that the dismissal affected top management, flight and grounds staff.

A letter sighted by Citi Business News signed by the CEO of the company, James Eric Antwi, stated that contracts of workers have been terminated effective November 30, 2017.

The letter further directed the workers to submit all their IDs and other company assets in their possession to the administration.

“We write to serve you this day’s notice of termination of your employment contract effective November 30, 2017.”

“In accordance with the termination clause of the existing agreement between you and the company, the company is formally exercising its right to the said agreement”.

It added that, “On your last day of work, kindly liaise with the Human Resource and Administration Department to submit all company assets in your possession, including but not limited to ID cards, equipment, cell phones, work products (electronic and paper files) etc.”

“Upon receipt of these items, the payment of any outstanding amounts as stated due will be authorized.”

It is unclear whether the dismissals have anything to do with the recent incident involving one of the company’s aircrafts or due to operational challenges facing the airline.

A Kumasi-bound aircraft skidded off the runway at the Kotoka International Airport on Saturday, November 25 when it was preparing to take off.

GCAA investigates Starbow accident 

The Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Simon Allotey,  had told Citi Business News the GCAA will investigate the operations of Starbow and proffer the necessary sanction if it is found culpable in the accident.

“We are as part of the investigations, going to have a review of Starbow as an organization not just their maintenance, but a total review of their management, their structure, their training, qualifications and all that to be sure as part of a broader safety management system everything is being done right,” he told Citi Business News.

Mr. Allotey added that, “We will ask them to effect the necessary corrections, and we will impose sanctions where there are serious infractions, but where it just needs a corrective action, we resolve the safety concern through asking the company to do a corrective action plan, give them a timeline to implement it and we review and approve.”

Starbow is one of the two domestic airline companies operating in Ghana.

It has been in operation since September 2011. Already, three airlines, CityLink, Antrak and Royal Fly Gh, are yet to resume operations after suffering a similar fate about four years ago.

Starbow halts operations after accident 

Starbow Airlines recently halted its operations, following the crash at the Kotoka International Airport.

A statement from Starbow at the time said it had “suspended its operations with immediate effect.”

It added that “guests with future reservations are invited to contact the airline at 024 500 0000 to make alternative travel arrangements.”

The statement also quoted the Chief Executive Officer of Starbow, Eric Antwi, as saying “All of us at Starbow at this time remain dedicated to our guests, our crew and their families. Their safety and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do, and we will cooperate fully with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, and other agencies, to determine the cause of this incident. We hope to be able to provide further information in due course.”

The incident added to previous mishaps involving Starbow flights in 2014 and 2015. A passenger on board the plane had suggested that the pilot ignored bad weather on that fateful day.

A statement from the Emergency Operations Centre of the Kotoka International Airport also said an investigation is being carried out.

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By: citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Starbow sacks workers appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The crash, which resulted in five minor injuries, occurred after the aircraft skidded off the runway during its take-off run.

Some other incidents involving Starbow airlines have been recorded in previous years.

In 2015, passengers on board a Tamale-bound Starbow airline, had the scare of their lives when the aircraft, BAE with registration 9GSBB, crash landed in Tamale although no injuries were recorded.

In 2014, two people were injured after a Takoradi bound Starbow aircraft made an emergency landing.

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and other stakeholders in the aviation sector, have often been criticized for not cracking the whip enough on these airline operators, hence putting the lives of passengers at risk.

BPS in a statement sided with this position, saying the Transport Ministry and GCAA’s have since 2012,  refused to heed the Bureau’s “good advice to set up an independent investigation” into these incidents.

“Starbow Runway Overrun is bringing our country yet closer to witnessing a national disaster. The ICAO Safety Reports for 2015 and 2016 points in that direction for the Regional Aviation Safety Group – Africa and the Indian Ocean (RASG- AFI) comprising 48 countries including Ghana.”

The BPS believes allowing “GCAA to lead and continually investigate such incidents”, without setting up an independent investigation body can only “save jobs at the authority not lives of passengers.”

“Perhaps, it’s time for the BPS to explore what roles the International Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO ) and the Federal Aviation Administration ((FAA) can play in getting the State of Ghana to establish such a body as opposed to adhoc investigation committees whose findings and recommendations cannot be assured.”

Starbow halts operations after crash at Kotoka

Starbow Airlines has halted operations following the crash. A statement from Starbow said it had “suspended its operations with immediate effect.”

It added that “guests with future reservations are invited to contact the airline at 024 500 0000 to make alternative travel arrangements.”

Possible negligence

There has been a suggestion of negligence on the part of the aircraft’s pilot by William Owuraku Aidoo, a Deputy Minister of Energy who was on board the Starbow plane when it crashed.

He narrated that, the pilot tried to brave a storm that was obviously going to overwhelm the plane.

“As we were boarding the bus to the aircraft, I got a little concerned. I noticed the rains had started from afar approaching where we were parked” Mr. Owuraku Aidoo told Ghana Web.

“I am speculating that probably, the pilot tried to beat the oncoming clouds that were rolling in, and we taxied to the runway and the rain really caught up with us. So he stopped, prior to taking off proper, and I got more concerned because I could see that the rain was running down the windows very very fast when the plane was stationary, which signified to me that the wind was on the high side,” the Minister said.

Below is the statement from BPS

Starbow Runway Overrun is bringing our country yet closer to witnessing a national disaster. The ICAO Safety Reports for 2015 and 2016 points in that direction for the Regional Aviation Safety Group – Africa and the Indian Ocean (RASG- AFI) comprising 48 countries including Ghana.

The Ministry of Transport and the GCAA are not heeding good advise to set up an independent Accident investigation body as proposed by the Bureau of Public Safety.

Allowing the GCAA to lead and continually investigate such incidents can only save jobs at the authority not lives of passengers.

Perhaps it’s time for the BPS to explore what roles the International Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO ) and the Federal Aviation Administration ((FAA) can play in getting the State of Ghana to establish such a body as opposed to adhoc investigation committees whose findings and recommendations cannot be assured.

We first called for this body to be set up in 2012 after a plane overshot the runway killing 10 persons.

Engage on
+1 540 779 4334 by phone
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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Public Safety Bureau blames Transport Ministry, GCAA for Starbow crash appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The crash, which resulted in five minor injuries, occurred after the aircraft skidded off the runway during its take-off run.

[contextly_sidebar id=”g8IB3wEcaUm6FmyoZXMHXkB6602KxQcP”]A statement from Starbow said it had “suspended its operations with immediate effect.”

It added that “guests with future reservations are invited to contact the airline at 024 500 0000 to make alternative travel arrangements.”

The statement also quoted the Chief Executive Officer of Starbow, Eric Antwi, as saying “All of us at Starbow at this time remain dedicated to our guests, our crew and their families. Their safety and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do, and we will cooperate fully with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, and other agencies, to determine the cause of this incident. We hope to be able to provide further information in due course.”

This incident adds to previous mishaps involving Starbow flights in 2014 and 2015.

A statement from the Emergency Operations Centre of the Kotoka International Airport said an investigation is being carried out into the incident.

There has been a suggestion of negligence on the part of the aircraft’s pilot by William Owuraku Aidoo, a Deputy Minister of Energy who was on board the Starbow plane when it crashed.

Possible negligence

He narrated that, the pilot tried to brave a storm that was obviously going to overwhelm the plane.

“As we were boarding the bus to the aircraft, I got a little concerned. I noticed the rains had started from afar approaching where we were parked” Mr. Owuraku Aidoo told Ghana Web.

“I am speculating that probably, the pilot tried to beat the oncoming clouds that were rolling in, and we taxied to the runway and the rain really caught up with us. So he stopped, prior to taking off proper, and I got more concerned because I could see that the rain was running down the windows very very fast when the plane was stationary, which signified to me that the wind was on the high side,” the Minister said.

Find below the full statement from Starbow.

Starbow S9 104 Incident at Accra, Kotoka International Airport

Everyone at Starbow wishes to express their sincere regret for the distress experienced by our guests on Flight S9 104 on 25 November 2017 at 12:45, local time.

The service, operated by ATR72-500 (registration 9G-SBF), was a scheduled flight from Accra to Kumasi.

All 65 guests and five crew disembarked, as normal, though five guests were treated for minor injuries at the Airport Clinic.  The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority has begun an investigation into the incident.

Eric Antwi, Chief Executive Officer, said: ‘All of us at Starbow at this time remain dedicated to our guests, our crew and their families. Their safety and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do, and we will cooperate fully with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, and other agencies, to determine the cause of this incident. We hope to be able to provide further information in due course’.

Starbow has suspended its operations with immediate effect and guests with future reservations are invited to contact the airline at 024 500 0000 to make alternative travel arrangements.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Starbow halts operations after crash at Kotoka appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the pilot tried to brave the obvious storm that the plane was caught up in.

The crash, which is said to have resulted in one injury, occurred after the aircraft skidded off the runway during its take-off run.

A statement from the Emergency Operations Centre of the Airport, said operations are continuing as normal as  investigation is carried out into the incident.

The statement, however, made no mention of the storm as stated by the Deputy Minister, who also said he saw five injured persons, contrary to the KIA’s claim that only one person got injured.

“As we were boarding the bus to the aircraft, I got a little concerned. I noticed the rains had started from afar approaching where we were parked” Mr. Owuraku Aidoo told Ghana Web.

Without making any definite statements on the matter, he said the pilot was probably trying to get airborne before the storm reached the airport.

“I am speculating that probably, the pilot tried to beat the oncoming clouds that were rolling in, and we taxied to the runway and the rain really caught up with us. So he stopped, prior to taking off proper, and I got more concerned because I could see that the rain was running down the windows very very fast when the plane was stationary, which signified to me that the wind was on the high side,” the minister recalled.

“When the pilot was about to take off, I said said to himself, wait a minute, is this guy going to take off in this weather?”

“A few seconds later after taxing, we were blown off the runway, literally, completely, for about 80 metres, and I think the plane rested on the perimeter fence,” Mr. Owuraku Aidoo said.

There was some panic within the aircraft at the time, and he said there were a few people screaming.

According to him, some five persons were taken to hospital for medical treatment.

Previous Starbow incidents

In 2015, passengers on board a Tamale-bound Starbow airline, had the scare of their lives when the aircraft, BAE with registration 9GSBB, crash landed in Tamale although no injuries were recorded.

In 2014, two people were injured after a Takoradi bound Starbow aircraft made an emergency landing.

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and other stakeholders in the aviation sector, have often been criticized for not cracking the whip enough on these airline operators, hence putting the lives of passengers at risk.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Starbow pilot ‘ignored’ bad weather – Deputy Energy Minister appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The crash resulted in one injury, according to the Ghana Airports Company Limited and Ghana Civil Aviation Authority.

However, a Deputy Energy Minister, William Owuraku Aidoo, who was on the plane, has told online news portal Ghanaweb, that he saw about five passengers with injuries.

[contextly_sidebar id=”McRJkd3V5pEcpYDizZN5n0TBW4rutgD0″]A statement from the Emergency Operations Centre of the Kotoka International Airport confirmed that “the aircraft skidded off the runway during its take-off run.”

“The aircraft was carrying 63 passengers and 5 crew. One passenger sustained minor injuries and is currently under observation at the clinic,” the statement added.

The Airport said operations are continuing as normal.

Pilot ignored the rain

Some sources at the Airport have indicated that, the flight, which was set to take off to Kumasi, skidded off the runway in the direction of the nearby Air-force base, after its engines suddenly shut down and run into a fence wall.

The Deputy Energy Minister, William Owuraku Aidoo, stated that the pilot ignored the rains, and still opted to take off when the crash occurred.

Earlier delays

On Friday, November 24, 2017, some passengers of Starbow Airlines were stranded at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) after they were unable to embark on their booked flight.

Some of the affected passengers who spoke to Citi Business News indicated that, their flight was cancelled after they had been cleared to embark.

Though they were given a two-hour waiting period for the issue to be resolved, the airline company subsequently announced that the flight could only be postponed to Saturday, November 25, 2017.

Officials of the GCAA confirmed to Citi Business News that the flight was cancelled since Starbow Airlines had failed to conduct a demonstration flight on the new aircraft it took delivery of earlier this week.

It is unclear if this new aircraft was the same one that was involved in that incident on Friday. Efforts to get a response from Starbow Airlines have so far been unsuccessful.

Previous Starbow incidents

In 2015, passengers on board a Tamale-bound Starbow airline, had the scare of their lives when the aircraft, BAE with registration 9GSBB, crash landed in Tamale although no injuries were recorded.

In 2014, two people were injured after a Takoradi bound Starbow aircraft made an emergency landing.

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and other stakeholders in the aviation sector, have often been criticized for not cracking the whip enough on these airline operators, hence putting the lives of passengers at risk.

Find below the full statement from KIA

Starbow incident at Kotoka International Airport

Ghana Airports Company Limited and Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, can confirm that at 12.20pm today, Saturday, November 25, 2017, an incident involving Starbow Airline Flight S9 104 bound for Kumasi, occurred at Kotoka International Airport.

The aircraft skidded off the runway during its take-off run. The aircraft was carrying 63 passengers and 5 crew. One passenger sustained minor injuries and is currently under observation at the clinic.

Emergency procedures have since been activated at the airport and investigations to establish the cause of the incident has begun.

Meanwhile, operations at the airport are continuing normally.

Further updates will be provided as and when they become available.

Issued by: Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), KIA

November 25, 2017

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kotoka begins investigation into Starbow crash appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Some sources at the Airport have indicated that, the flight, which was set to take off to Kumasi, skidded off the runway in the direction of the nearby Air-force base, after its engines suddenly shut down.

[contextly_sidebar id=”zWXRafhDPdaBiuE6KFNMO0J3Q9Jf7Im8″]No casualties have as yet been confirmed.

Sources within the Aviation Ministry have indicated that, an official report will be released on the incident after their technical team assesses the situation.

Earlier delays

On Friday, November 24, 2017, some passengers of Starbow Airlines were stranded at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) after they were unable to embark on their booked flight.

Some of the affected passengers who spoke to Citi Business News indicated that, their flight was cancelled after they had been cleared to embark.

Though they were given a two-hour waiting period for the issue to be resolved, the airline company subsequently announced that the flight could only be postponed to Saturday, November 25, 2017.

Officials of the GCAA confirmed to Citi Business News that the flight was cancelled since Starbow Airlines had failed to conduct a demonstration flight on the new aircraft it took delivery of earlier this week.

It is unclear if this new aircraft was the same one that was involved in that incident on Friday.

Efforts to get a response from Starbow Airlines have so far been unsuccessful.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Starbow plane crashes into fence wall at Kotoka Airport appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.