Accra, Sept. 15, GNA - Lufthansa German Airlines, says it is determined to brave the daunting odds in the airline industry to make air travel safer and more comfortable for its passengers.

Speaking at a Lufthansa Travel Agents Awards Night in Accra over the weekend, Mr Abdul Aziz Mangera, General Manager of Lufthansa, said the devastating effects of the events of September 11, 2000 and subsequent years, was still making the industry a difficult area to operate.

He mentioned the Iraq war and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the Far East as major setbacks for the airline. "But we have chalked a turn around with a rise in earnings to about 600 million Euros this year and this we hope to improve on significantly."

Mr Gerari was emphatic about a positive turn in the future and expressed the hope that the agents would continue to contribute their quota.

He described agents as a vital link in the airline industry and would be supported in all ways to meet the demands of the job.

"We appreciate your contribution as important pillars in the industry and we will continue to work together to make travelling more safer and more enjoyable."

Lufthansa, which used to fly twice a week out of Accra, now flies five times a week, providing a flexible travel schedule for its clients. The airline also flies seven times in and out of Lagos and twice to Abuja all in Nigeria.

Mr Gerari said the huge concentration of flights in the West African Sub-Region "reflects our confidence in West Africa as a partner in the business".

A Kumasi-based travel agent Kessben Travel and Tours won the Lufthansa Travel Agent of the Year Award.

Nana Travels, Nita Tours, Divine Travel and Tours and Searock Travels all received various awards for meritorious service in the year under review.