Passion Air to begin domestic operation by end of August

A new airline, Passion Air, has joined the space to provide transport services for the local market, this brings to two, the number of airlines operating in Ghana’s domestic aviation market.

Passion Air, took delivery of its first 78 seater aircraft, Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 and will begin with three daily flights to Kumasi from Accra, and they are also scheduled to fly to Tamale and Takoradi.

The coming of Passion Air will give options to the patrons, ending the shortage of options to patrons of the domestic aviation industry in the face of the growing demand for seats on AWA, due to the gap left by Starbow, Fly 540, Antrak and City Link.

Speaking at the official ceremony to inaugurate Passion Air’s first aircraft, the MD of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority Simon Allottey,  said it is will enforce its laws regulating pricing in the aviation industry even as new entrants join the sector.

The Authority believes this should protect consumers as it will prevent unfair competition and possible exploitation in some cases.

he added that “You have come at the right time to bring relief to domestic passengers who have been battling with only one airline in that space. But there is the need to be on time with flights by making sure that if you say that the flight is 2 pm, you take off that 2 pm otherwise you will not get patronage.”

Simon Allottey added that there is also the need to collaborate by forming alliances with bigger carriers and also consider even venturing into regional operations.

On his part, the Managing Director of the Ghana Airport Company Limited John Dekyem Attafuah who commended Passion on their decision to commence full domestic commercial operations in Ghana said the airport company was happy to welcome them to their fold.

He was hopeful the coming of Passion air will provide the needed competition and an alternative to the travelling public with connectivity and affordability in terms of fares.

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“By subsidizing landing, parking and lighting charges on domestic routes by as much as 40 percent; Additionally by an Act of Parliament, passengers travelling on the domestic routes are charged 5 cedis as airport passenger service charge compared to $60 and above for international travellers,” John Dekyem Attafuah noted.

The Commercial Manager for Passion Air, Anita Khoury maintained in an interview that the company will drive competition to meet the unsatisfied needs of domestic air passengers.

“We are looking at ourselves and how to cover our cost and obviously if you are looking at another airline’s price to determine yours, then you know you are definitely going to fail; you cannot do that,” she said

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