3 Airlines sign agreement to expand reach

Three airline operators in Africa have entered into an interline agreement to expand their reach to various international destinations across the world.

The agreement is a commercial arrangement between Africa World Airlines (AWA), ASKY Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines (ET) to handle passengers travelling on multiple airlines on the same itinerary. This will allow passengers to check their bags through to their final destination.

Speaking to the media at a stakeholder engagement to announce the agreement on August 16 in Kumasi, the Commercial Head of AWA, Mr Richard Kyereh, noted that the partnership was to ensure that the airlines provided a good flying option to the travelling public.
He said the agreement was also to help improve on the travelling experience for many travellers in the country.

Under the agreement, he said the airlines would offer passengers in the country the opportunity to travel seamlessly from Tamale, Kumasi and Takoradi to more than 140 destinations in Africa, Europe, Middle East and North America without having to collect baggage and check-in again at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

"The strength in the synergy ensures that passengers still maintain their allowable two 23 kilogramme bags, and have a stress-free travelling experience.

"For instance, a passenger travelling from Kumasi to New York will have AWA, ASKY and ET on his or her itinerary. The passengers then check-in their luggage at the point of departure, flies from Kumasi to Accra on AWA, fly from Accra to Lomé on ASKY and connect on Ethiopian Airlines to the United States of America (USA)," he said.

Partnership

The Country Manager of ASKY Airlines, Mr Worlanyo Afadzinu, indicated that with the partnership the airlines would deepen connectivity in the sub-region and improve on the travelling experience for passengers.

"The partnership is part of a strategy to grow fortunes of the company and also serve customers better.
"ASKY Airlines has steadily built up its network and now offers several flights per week to almost all countries in West Africa and major commercial and popular destinations in Central Africa. It recently started flights to South Africa," he said.

Seamless connectivity

Unlike previously, the Sales Manager of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr Abdul-Rahaman Mohammed, said the agreement provide his company the opportunity to make provisions for passengers who will connect through Accra from the regions.

"Previously we had passengers from Kumasi, Takoradi and Temale who connect through Accra but when there are delays we find it difficult to identify passengers who are connecting but this partnership provides the opportunity for the airline to identify and make provisions ahead," he said.

The stakeholder engagement also offered the opportunity for travelling and tour agencies of the three airlines to share their views on how best their businesses could be supported.