South African Airways (SAA) will from August 2, 2015, introduce direct flights from Accra to Washington DC in the United States.
The move, according to the airline’s Executive Africa Hub Projects Manager, Kendy Phohleli, was based on sound business principles as there is demand for passengers wanting to fly from Ghana to the United States directly.
Presently, majority of customers in Ghana are forced to travel via Europe to reach North America but SAA is optimistic that its introduction of non-stop services from Accra will considerably reduce travel times.
The route will be served by A340-600s featuring 42 full-flat 180 beds in premium business class and 275 seats in economy class. Travellers will be able to experience 4 Star Skytrax rated airline service to North America which offers world-class quality product and service standards.
At a press briefing in Accra, Kendy Phohleli indicated that the direct flight between Ghana and Washington is to aid existing trade relations and further strengthen Ghana’s robust economic outlook.
Phohleli further disclosed that South African Airways has formed a partnership with domestic carrier, Africa World Airlines to offer customers more travel options within the West African sub-region.
The partnership will offer customers of South African Airways from Washington to Johannesburg, a seamless connectivity via Accra to other destinations in Ghana such as Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale as well as Lagos in Nigeria.
“True to our promise of improving inter-connectivity by actively pursuing bilateral air service agreements, SAA entered into a bi-lateral codeshare agreement with Africa World Airline,” he said.
According to him, from Washington, SAA offers convenient connections to and from over 50 markets in the United States and Canada through its airline partners; United Airlines, Jetblue Airways and Virgin America.
Credit: citifmonline