The commencement of passenger operations by Passion Air a domestic airliner is expected to promote competition and to drive down air-fares as passengers complain about rising ticket prices.
With only one domestic airline Africa World Airlines (AWA) operating flights from Accra to Takoradi, Kumasi, and Tamale, a one-way ticket between Accra and Kumasi, for instance, costs about GH¢300. Air-fares between Accra and Tamale now cost about GH¢490.
Passion Air, which has started operation, after all its paper-work and test flights and revenue-free maiden flight to Kumasi, has got thumbs up with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) which has approved its operations.
Experts believe that the current ticket prices will fall as passion Air starts operation and competition increases.
The expectation of stakeholders is founded on the operating environment in the last ten years when operator’s ticket prices fell to the barest minimum with about four airlines which included Antrak, Fly 540, Africa World Airlines and Starbow were all in operation. In fact, a one-way ticket between Accra and Kumasi was under GH¢300 five years ago.
Speaking to JoyBusiness at the official launch of the new domestic airliner, the Accountable Manager at Passion Air, Eddy Annan said, “I am determined to lead my team to build an aviation hub in Ghana, giving air travellers the best of service they deserve, making air travel of these passengers a memorable one.
Comparing it to previous years, the fares are expensive. It is still relatively expensive because if we want people to do more of air travel than travelling by bus, then this is definitely time to have competitive prices which will attract more people to the safest, fastest and most convenient way of travelling.”
Industry players, however, believe that the current high fares can largely be attributed to the monopoly which was being enjoyed by AWA, given that their operational costs as well.
Economic directives to protect travellers
Meanwhile, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is set to introduce a reform to the current regulations on air passenger rights and the liability of airlines within the domestic spaces.
At the same time, the regulation when it comes into force will better complement procedures and enforcement measures introduced so that passengers can actually obtain the rights they are entitled to.
Also speaking at the official launch of Passion Airline the Director-General of the GCAA Simon Allotey said rights will bring about fair competition in terms of pricing.
“We are having general economic directives to ensure that passenger rights are protected and respected, in that when you check in a passenger, you delay him several hours at the airport or conceal the flights with no good reason, the airline must compensate the passenger.
“All these are the reason why we are going to introduce the economic directives at the domestic front, to check anything which is likely to affect the passenger,” Mr Allotey added.
Passion Air
The new indigenous carrier, Passion Air, has taken delivery of its first 78 seater aircraft, Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 which is being used to begin its operation today with three daily flights to Kumasi from Accra, and later fly to Tamale and Takoradi upon delivery of the other two aircrafts which are to be delivered soon.
On booking systems, Passion Air is encouraging the travelling public to make use of the online check-in which is very user-friendly as it is possible for the public to check-in online from the convenience of their homes, offices and wherever they may be before they get to the airport.