AWA Unveils First 102-Seater Embraer E190 Jet

Africa World Airlines has taken delivery of its first 102-seater Embraer E190 aircraft at Kotoka International Airport in Accra on September 19, marking a major fleet upgrade that doubles its capacity from 50-seater jets to support wider domestic and West African operations.

The aircraft, registered 9G-FDA, completed a three-day ferry flight from Haikou in China through Urumqi, Astana, Yerevan and Tunis before receiving a traditional water salute in Accra. The 2011-built jet features 14 premium economy and 88 economy seats and is finished in AWA new blue anniversary livery with Experience Ghana inscription. It is the first of 10 E190 aircraft the airline plans to acquire over the next year.

According to Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli State and Founder and Chairman of Africa World Airlines, the arrival represents a decisive step toward connecting Africa. In remarks delivered on his behalf by Yvonne Botchwey of World Trade Centre Accra, he said Africa World does not intend to restrict itself to domestic operations and that the new E190 will help fulfil its vision of supporting the development of Africa. He thanked the Government of Ghana, Government of China, Hainan Airlines and SSNIT for their support.

The Embraer E190 is a regional workhorse globally with capacity for up to 114 passengers and superior payload over the 50-seat ERJ-145 that has anchored AWA since 2012. In Ghana, domestic airlines operate under Ghana Civil Aviation Authority certification which requires air operator certificate, airworthiness compliance and import duty clearance for aircraft and spares. Government recently granted import duty exemptions for domestic airlines, a move Togbe Afede XIV welcomed as easing high operating costs driven by imported aviation inputs and foreign exchange pressures. AWA, which started commercial flights on September 21, 2012, says 97 percent of its staff are Ghanaian and it has carried over 5 million passengers.

Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe and Tourism Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie joined the unveiling themed Expanding Horizons, Elevating West African Connectivity. The airline says the larger jet will improve reliability on routes to Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, Lagos and Abuja and support planned expansion to Freetown, Monrovia, Conakry, Banjul and Dakar, with Accra Abidjan already relaunched on August 31. AWA leadership reiterated readiness to partner government on national carrier ambitions while urging that tax relief benefits reflect in lower fares for passengers.

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Author: Korkor Anumu