Accra, July 17, GNA - Management of Antrak Air, an Accra-based airline has acquired the necessary designation to begin flights to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Asoma Banda, Chairman of Antrak Air announced on Thursday. Speaking at a passing out ceremony for new cabin crew and dispatch officers, Alhaji Banda said they received the approval last Wednesday.

However, there are still some technical details, including the aircraft to use before flight operations could begin to Saudi Arabia. "All things being equal we hope to get over these technical hurdles before the beginning of this year's Hajj," Alhaji Banda assured. The airline expects to make two flights weekly to the Kingdom when operations finally kick-off. Antrak Air started operations in September 2003 and operates scheduled domestic, regional and international services, as well as charter services in West Africa.

Currently, the airline domestic destinations are Kumasi and Tamale. It also has international flights to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. "I am delighted that my vision to create jobs and help the teeming youth is coming into fruition," he said and called on government to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

Touching on the development of the airline industry, Alhaji Banda called for partnership among local entrepreneurs to ensure that Ghana returned to her category one status that allowed Ghanaian registered carriers to fly directly to the United States with Ghanaian pilots and cabin crew. This status was withdrawn about three years ago by the Federal Aviation Authority of the USA due to safety concerns. "My appeal is to the Ministry of Aviation and Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to do all within their power to get the category one status restored," he said.

Mr Simon Allotey, Acting Director General of GCAA, said the deficiencies that led to the withdrawal of the category one status had been dealt with through training and strict enforcement of maintenance procedures by Inspectors. "We have stepped up our training for safety inspectors while ensuring that adequate supervision and enforcement measures are undertaken to restore the confidence in the country as the safest destination for air services operations," he said. Despite these measures, Mr Allotey said, the category one status would only be restored when there was a willing Ghanaian carrier ready to fly into the US. "I am afraid if none of the three Ghanaian registered carriers take it upon themselves to fly into the US the status would be the same," he emphasized.

Mr Allotey said GCAA, as the regulator, would work hand in hand with the operators to ensure a sustainable growth and development in the aviation industry. Mr George Scott, Chief Director, Ministry of Aviation, commended management of Antrak Air for its contribution to the growth of the industry in the country. He urged the domestic airline carriers to be safety conscious by adhering to routine maintenance and security checks to meet international standards. In all 14 cabin crew and seven dispatch officers graduated.