Aviation: Africa World Airlines attracts global attention at Akwaaba Confab

Africa World Airlines’ (AWA) business model attracted attention from players in the aviation industry at the just-ended 12th edition of the Akwaaba Travel Market held in Lagos, Nigeria.
Making an input on the state of aviation and why airlines on the continent fail, Richard Kyereh, Deputy Head of Commercial, AWA said the airline’s success is based on three pillars: the customers, employees, and a distinct model.
“A great airline business starts with the customer. But to make customers happy, we must make sure that our employees are happy first. Internal customers have a direct link to the external customers and the quality of product or service they receive. Everyone in the value chain is crucial for delivering a great product or service.
Airlines must leverage the social community of employees. This will lead to an organic growth– an inside out approach—if they are to survive,” Mr. Kyereh said.
Africa World Airlines (AWA) services both the domestic and regional market. It operates flights between Accra and Kumasi; and Accra-Tamale. The airline is also set to start Accra-Takoradi flights this month.
On the West Coast, AWA operates flight between Accra and Lagos, Nigeria. It is one of the most reliable and safest airline on the route. The airline plans to commence flights to other destinations in the sub-region in the coming month.
Africa World Airlines was incorporated on November 15, 2010 as a joint-venture between HNA Group (China) — parent company of Hainan Airlines, the only Skytrax rated five-star airline in China, founded in 1993; SAS Finance Group (Ghana); China-Africa Development Fund (CAD-Fund, China); and the Social Security and National Insurance (SSNIT).
The 12th Akwaaba Africa Travel Market (AfTM) was attended by the best brains in aviation and tourism globally with the objective of transferring knowledge during the two-day event.
Ikechi Uko, organizer of the annual event, said the platform has helped push the frontiers of tourism and aviation on the continent.
The event was opened by the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe, Annastacia Ndhlovu.