Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe has urged domestic airlines to reduce airfares following the government’s decision to waive import duties on aircraft parts brought into the country.
According to the Minister, the duty exemptions are intended to ease the operating costs of domestic airlines and should ultimately benefit passengers through lower ticket prices.
Mr. Nikpe made the call during the unveiling of Africa World Airlines’ (AWA) new 102-seater Embraer E190 aircraft, as the airline moves to expand its operations and improve connectivity across Ghana.
He appealed to domestic airlines, particularly AWA, to reflect the savings from the duty waivers in their fares to make air travel more affordable for Ghanaians.
“We want to seize this opportunity to appeal to all the airlines, especially the leading domestic airlines, to also look at their affairs and let it reflect on the Ghanaian traveller, so that our people can also enjoy some reduction in airfares,” he said.
The Minister also welcomed AWA’s move to introduce a larger aircraft, saying the increased passenger capacity could encourage more people to consider domestic air travel.
The Embraer E190, which can accommodate 102 passengers, is expected to increase AWA’s capacity and support its efforts to strengthen domestic air connectivity.
Mr. Nikpe said the combination of lower operating costs and increased passenger capacity presents an opportunity for airlines to make domestic air travel more accessible to the public.
