Accra - US carrier Delta Air lines is to begin flying to Ghana beginning in December, the airline announced Monday in a statement.

Delta would be the only major US carrier to operate non-stop flights between Accra and New York's John F. Kennedy Airport starting December 11, subject to foreign government approvals.

'The new service forms an integral part of Delta's push to strengthen its presence as New York City's leading international airline, including offering more service across the Atlantic than any other carrier from New York City,' the statement said.

Delta plans to use Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, seating up to 214 passengers with 35 seats in business class.

'The new flights will significantly improve customer travel times between Accra and the United States, reducing travel time by up to eight hours in each direction when compared to connections on other major airlines via Europe.'

National carrier Ghana Airways, which was flying to New York and Baltimore, collapsed under debt and mismanagement, and another Ghanaian carrier, Ghana International Airline, is yet to fly to the US.

The statement said that the addition of service to Ghana further strengthens Delta's market position in Africa.

The new service would complement service between Delta's largest hub in Atlanta and Johannesburg, South Africa, via Dakar, Senegal, scheduled to begin December 2, subject to foreign government approval.