Africa World Airlines (AWA) Monday June 26, 2017 flew its maiden flight from Accra to Abuja; a journey its management described as an important milestone in the achievement of its goal of connecting West Africa.

Speaking to journalists on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Captain Kwesi Oteng, one of the pilots who flew the aircraft said owing to their reliability, unmatched safety standards they are able to expand their network flying into Lagos five times a day from three times a week.

He said a similar plan is being put in place for the Abuja operation but at the moment it is going to be daily.

AWA, he said is planning to expand its route even further, saying it is testament of the vision of their founder “to provide affordable, reliable and safe travel for all within the sub region.

On his part, Ghana’s deputy Minister of Aviation, Kwabena Okyere Darko indicated government’s readiness to make the country’s aviation sector competitive, stating that it would make the country an attractive aviation hub within the sub-region.

The move, according to him, is part of the manifesto of the ruling government to ensure and sustain free movements of people and goods in the Western African Coast thus it is very important that “we partner airports, we partner civil aviation organizations, and we partner governments across the sub region to be able to provide these services across the ECOWAS subcontinent.”

“We want to make it clear to you that Ghana is prepared to collaborate with all airlines in Nigeria to also allow them to participate in our domestic market,” he stated when he unveiled AWA’s inaugural flight to Abuja.

“So we are using this opportunity to invite you to invest, whilst you are investing in Nigeria as a big brother come also to invest in Ghana,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Aviation Minister, the acting Director of Air Transport Management for Nigeria’s Transport Ministry Greggory Taiwo said the move by AWA will help strengthen economic ties between Ghana and Nigeria.

AWA’s Accra-Abuja route operates a flight daily throughout the week.