By Roland Ohaeri
In a new interconnectivity that brings Europe closer to West Africa, ITA Airways has commenced scheduled commercial flight operations to Kotoka International Airport, Ghana from Rome, Italy. According to the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), which manages Ghana’s airports, “the airline will operate four weekly flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Italy to Accra.”
The Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited, Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, stated that the commencement of the direct Rome-Accra services is “a clear indication of the confidence in Ghana’s aviation industry and significantly enhances efforts at positioning Ghana as a Preferred Aviation hub and Leader in Airport Business in West Africa,” GACL further stated.
According to her, the flights services also usher in “a new era of convenience and efficiency for travelers, both for business and leisure purposes, offering passengers more options and seamless connectivity between these two vibrant cities.”
While assuring needed support to ITA Airways maintain good on-time performance, Mrs. Opare emphasised charged the airlines to provide exceptional customer service. “Our expectation is that ITA Airways will go the extra mile to deliver exceptional customer service, ensuring a seamless travel experience to passengers’’ she said.
She also called on airlines to explore the opportunities present in Ghana’s other international airports including the recently commissioned Tamale International Airport and Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi.
According to GACL, Mrs. Opare further solicited the continued support of stakeholders to the GACL “as it makes giant strides towards achieving its vision, which dovetails into the broader government vision for the aviation industry.”
The ITA Airways inaugural flight was greeted with fanfare and the traditional water cannon salute, while several dignitaries expressed their support and commendation for the new flight services essentially connecting Europe and Africa. Among the dignitaries include the Vice President Sales, Pierfrancesco Carino, Ghana’s Ambassador to Italy, H.E. Merena Botsio Benyah, Ambassador of Italy to Ghana and Togo, H.E. Daniela d’Orlandi and Reverend Stephen Wilfred Arthur, Director, Economic Regulations and Business Development, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
