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Amid the turbulence of worldwide flight delays Ghana International Airlines chalk success
At last! It is refreshing to hear, amid the madness of flight delays and general air travel problems presently sweeping across the globe that an airline from Ghana, an African country with serious time management notoriety, has been awarded the most punctual arriving into Gatwick airport in Jan 2006.
Gor-blimey! What happened to African punctuality or the black man’s time? Are we learning now? Good.
Anyway, the announcement that Ghana’s national carrier GIA has been awarded by the Civil Aviation in the UK for it’s punctuality is no mean feat. The airline achieved 100 per cent arrival time and 98 per cent departure time punctuality in the very first year of its operations. Pure magic!
GIA’s achievements come at a time when the number of flights delays in and out of Britain is increasing. Presently one in every ten flights in the country leaves an hour late. The average delay last summer was about 30 minutes.
In 2004, most delays in international travel was just for some 23 minutes but now, in 2006 the wait is getting longer and longer.
And now, the Air Transport Users Council agree that new compensation rules on delays aimed at improving the time people waste in airports lounges swearing and moaning even at security sniffer-dogs has not stopped some airlines making late comers of most travellers.
Thus, it is assuring to know that Ghana’s ‘new’ flyer is already chalking successes well before they turn one.
After some few hiccups with its maiden flight last October, which I did mention here in my column, it now seems Ghana International Airlines is fast becoming the choice carrier for most frequent travellers to Ghana.
Trust Ghanaians! Some who have travelled on it recently swear by its smart services, comfortable seating, punctuality and good grub apart from the occasional din created by families with little children and some selfish and ill-mannered ‘hustlers’. There is also the occasional obstruction caused by people with suitcases the size of the ailing new Wembley Stadium wanting to pass them off as hand luggage. But never mind, such is life.
Current fares and the 40 kilograms weight allowance also add some magnets to its increasing patronage.
Oh! And if you ask me, I should also add that the peace of mind that comes with flying direct to Kotoka without the hassle of touring the entire African continent, desert-by-desert and ocean-by-ocean, is also very alluring.
Presently, with some good image building efforts, the boast of adhering to modern safety and performance standards, coupled with a brilliant £100.00 pound each way (minus taxes) celebratory fare, patriotic proximity or sentiments, and honestly the presence of no serious competitor, is making GIA fly easily through the stratosphere.
Flying the red, gold, and green flag of Ghana with the black star definitely helps.
But hey! Do not rejoice too soon. It is early days yet. The honey moon could be short-lived and if history and experiences are anything to go by then the party will be over soon before the bandsmen arrive.
The ubiquity of Ghanaians is definitely good for any airline plying their route. They have travelled far and near since the days of yore. Still the desire to explore every nook and cranny of this earth for financial gain, curiosity, education, or flight from over-dependent family members is as fresh as the morning breeze.
Most Ghanaians are patriotic and feel comfortable amongst their own.
This is why the new national carrier GIA, with a bit of natural monopoly advantages has everything to gain from.
However, some Ghanaians could be difficult and overbearing. Empathy could turn into hatred overnight. And what is held dear and sacred could become banal and unattractive within seconds. History tells us that GIA’s ancestors, the now defunct Ghana Airways suffered seriously from a combination of the above and over-complacency. More so of the latter!
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Let’s say, tomorrow GIA too get over-complacent. They think that whatever happens or whatever they do Ghanaians will still patronize them. Their staff, both on the ground and those who think they’re super-humans with wings because they fly, become rude; they do not care too much about the food anymore, they become lazy and tedious; the fares go up beyond rational economic understanding, then the curse of Ghana Airways will return to haunt them. |
Like their fore-bearers, if they allow Ghanaian Ministers and the ‘Big Men’ to interfere too much, wanting to fly first class for the price of none, seek free travel for their wives, children, uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews, cousins, concubines, and ugly ‘poco-darling’ girlfriends (some of whom do not know their Ls from their
Rs) then the pains to tell them off will be nothing compared to the failure of Ghana Airways.
As their predecessor found out, mismanagement, corruption, nepotism, favouritism, pettiness and the lack of foresight to know that call girls and drug-traffickers cannot be good hostesses any more than thieves becoming luggage handlers, then they are in for a brief honeymoon.
Such are some of the problems that saw the demise of Ghana Airways and can easily happen to GIA.
But nay! Never? The vice president for Public Affairs of GIA and Governmental Relations, Mr. Sammy Crabbe, told journalist in Ghana before the maiden flight that this will never happen.
He said that, “GIA’s vision is to be the leading and most respected airline in Africa”. He used glittering generalities such as “quality”, “hallmark”, “high level of safety”, “reliability” and the sort to justify their resolve to make it happen.
I want to believe that. I think I should believe him. Okay, I cautiously believe it.
From all indications GIA is on a right path to make some positive impact on the aviation industry in Ghana through excellence, professionalism and passenger safety.
The airline, which was formed in 2004, is a partnership between the Government of Ghana (70%) and a consortium of international private investors based in Utah, USA (30%).
Good thing is Skywest; part of the international consortium is already a successful operator of airlines in America. It is thought that the transfer of expertise and experiences gained through years of aviation operations would benefit GIA immensely.
And a look into their crystal ball is also promising and ambitious. GIA aims to fly directly to North America by their first birthday. Europe should also be covered by June this year, I am told.
They also intend to ply the West African route from April this year. Abuja, Lagos, Abidjan, Freetown, Monrovia and the major cities should not be difficult to get to.
Plans are that by their first anniversary they would have acquired a bigger bodied Boeing 767.
The above coupled with the right staff, good practice and the resolve never to suffer the fate of the former Ghana Airways and also never to suffer fools easily should be a good sign to trust them.
Now, having said that it behooves us travellers to also do our bit to ensure that this time around the party goes on and on. And as they would like to say over there, come on! Experience it. Believe it!
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