General News of Monday, 21 June 1999

Source: GNA

Guinea Airline Resumes Flight Operations to Ghana

Accra, June 20, GNA - The Guinean National Airline (Air Guinea) on Saturday resumed its flight operations to Accra after 35 years of absence on the Accra-Conakry route.

Air Guinea, which was founded in 1961, started its maiden operations to Ghana in 1952 following the signing of a bilateral air service agreement with Ghana but stopped a year later.

The reintroduction of Air Guinea became possible with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Civil Aviation Authorities of the two countries in April, this year.

Air Guinea's key destinations will be Accra, Abidjan, Monrovia and Conakry.

At an inaugural ceremony at the Kotoka International Airport, Mr Mike Hammah, Deputy Minister of Roads and Transport, said the resumption of Air Guinea's operations marks another milestone in the relation between Ghana and Guinea.

Mr Hammah said this was a manifestation of the commitment of both countries to transform into reality one of the primary objectives of the ECOWAS protocols of free movement of people and goods within the sub-region.

"This will go a long way to improve upon trade and also promote economic co-operation between member countries in the sub-region.

He said the current influx of foreign airlines from Europe and Africa into the country bears testimony to government's open door policy in the field of aviation.

He said the improvement of transport infrastructure including the airport is aimed at attracting investors into the country.

Mr Derek Obuobi, Director of Human Resources, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA), said Air Guinea's arrival to Ghana was timely, especially when Ghana had positioned Kotoka International Airport as the gateway to Africa.

He assured Air Guinea of GCAA's improved security system at the airport to ensure that passengers enjoy the best use of facilities.

The Guinean delegation to the ceremony included Mr Sekou Sangare, Director General of Air Guinea, Mr Aliou Conde, Secretary-General, Ministry of Public Transport, and Mr Mamadi Kaba of the Guinean Civil Aviation.