Virgin Atlantic, one of the world's leading UK-based airlines, on Monday made their inaugural flight from London to Accra and promised to break the near monopoly that British Airways has enjoyed on the Accra-London route.
Airline owner, world acclaimed billionaire, Richard Branson told local and foreign journalists in Accra that "our new services will bring the much-needed competition onto the route, increasing seat availability by 35 per cent and breaking the near monopoly BA gas enjoyed over the years."
Mr. Branson arrived in Accra at about 1615 hours on Monday onboard Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-300 aircraft, which has 240 seats, comprising 34 Upper Class, 35 Premium Economy and 171 Economy class seats.
He was met on arrival by Mr. Mike Hammah, Minister of Transport, some directors from the Ghana Tourists Board and directors from Zenith Bank, partners of Virgin Atlantic.
Mr. Branson flew to Ghana to mark the launch of Virgin Atlantic operations in Ghana on the Kotoka International Airport, Accra to Heathrow,
London route.
The Virgin Atlantic Airbus is scheduled to fly from Accra on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1015 hours, and arrive in London 1800 same day and fly from London on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at 2230 hours each night and arrive in Accra at 0415 hours the next day.
Mr. Branson noted that within the year, Virgin Atlantic expects to fly more than 60,000 passengers, all of whom would benefit from more choice, competitive fares and value for money.
He noted, for instance, that fares for the Upper Class Suite, which came with an additional feature of a private bar for each passenger, cost
thousands of pounds less than other airlines' First Class fares.
"The flights will not only allow more people to travel directly between London and Ghana but Ghanaians will also benefit from our onward connections to New York and many other places on Virgin Atlantic's network," he said.
Ghana is the fifth African destination for Virgin Atlantic, and Mr. Branson said Ghana was chosen because of its good democratic credentials.
"The last time I was here personally, Ghana has a military dictatorship and Virgin does not fly into countries with military dictatorship, but now Ghana has thriving democracy which is an attraction to us," he said.
He promised that over time the airline would consider expanding its operations in Ghana by adding direct flights to other destinations in Africa and around the world at competitive fare, adding that they would not be too inquisitive as to start Virgin Gold and Virgin Oil, whiles in Ghana.
Mr. Hammah noted that Virgin Atlantic's investment in Ghana marked an important milestone in the country's airline industry and confirmed investor confidence in the country.
He said that since the introduction of the Open Skies Policy in Ghana, the number of commercial and cargo flights had almost doubled from 15 to 28.
Mr Hammah assured players in the airline industry and the public that government would continue to improve and facelift the Kotoka International Airport and regional airports through infrastructural rehabilitation and
installation of new communication navigation and surveillance equipment.
Mr. Nick Prescot, the British High Commissioner, noted that Virgin Atlantic had the reputation for choosing best destinations in the world and that it was not surprising that Ghana was chosen.
The Virgin Atlantic is one of the many companies under the Virgin Group of Companies, which include Virgin Mobile, Virgin Records, Virgin Express, Virgin Rail, Virgin Galactic, Virgin Music, Virgin Games, Virgin Balloon
Travels and several others.