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Four investors apply to run airline business in Ghana By Dominick Andoh
Four new applications have been submitted by local and foreign investors to the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for an Air Carrier License (ACL) to enable them operate an airline business in Ghana. The ACL application is the first step in the process to operate an airline business and details the general nature of the intended operations, financiers, and the proposed operating team. AviationGhana sources at the GCAA say the four companies submitted their ACL applications in December. Based on the documents submitted, the investors are seeking to operate domestic and regional flights to tap into the opportunities that the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents in both the passenger and cargo side of the aviation business. Since the re-opening of the Kotoka
Vaccines not a solution to aviation industry’s woes— CAPA PAGE 02
COVID-19: WTTC requests for removal of quarantines, supports new travel measures PAGE 06
Wine Tourism — Experiencing one of the world’s bond PAGE 07
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Vaccines not a solution to aviation industry’s woes—CAPA Airlines have been warned that coronavirus vaccines will not be a solution to the aviation industry’s problems with quarantine requirements expected to persist for many months, and borders to open and close unpredictably. Last year was the worst on record for the aviation industry due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with full year traffic down around two thirds on 2019. And the International Air Transport Association (Iata) isn’t predicting 2021 will be much better with losses of US$39 billion (NZ$54b) forecast for the global industry over the year. Capa – Centre for Aviation founder and chairman emeritus Peter Harbison said international air travel would struggle to get off the ground in 2021 with revenue for airlines in the first half of 2021 looking “something close to catastrophic”.
He said vaccines were “not the solution” to the industry’s problems and would instead be a “sideshow” for international aviation for most of the year. Vaccines would take many months to roll out and vaccination priority was going to be given to people who had, in most cases, lower travel propensity, he said. “The younger, healthier people will not receive vaccinations till later in 2021 – that’s if they receive them at all in 2021,” Harbison said. “Then there’s the point that no one is vaccinated until everybody is vaccinated.” The number of different vaccines and recognition and safety standards of those would also be an issue, he said. “This remains with national health authorities, and they have varying levels of risk tolerance.”
Four investors apply to run airline business in Ghana International Airport (KIA) on September 1 to scheduled passenger operations, 14 international airlines, five (5) regional airlines and two domestic airlines are currently servicing the KIA. With the coming into effect of the AfCFTA on January 1, 2021 the need for a robust aviation sector to facilitate the transportation of people and goods produced by member countries to boost intraAfrica trade. AfCFTA provides the opportunity for Africa to create the world’s largest free trade area, with the potential to unite 1.3bn people in a US$2.5 trillion economic bloc and usher in a new era of development. The main objectives of AfCFTA are to create a continental market for goods and services, with free movement of people and capital,
and pave the way for creating a customs union. It will also grow intraAfrican trade through better harmonisation and coordination of trade liberalisation across the continent. AfCFTA is further expected to enhance competitiveness at the industry and enterprise level through exploitation of opportunities for scale production, continental market access, and better reallocation of resources. Ghana was selected to host the secretariat of AfCFTA, giving the country a pivotal role in overseeing the implementation of the agreement. The country committed US$10m for the operationalisation of the secretariat located in the heart of Ghana’s capital Accra.
AVIATION GHANA Bombay Jnc. Off George W. Bush Highway, Darkuman Road, Accra Ghana. Editorial Editor@aviationghana.com Phone: +233 243376878 Sales & AdvertIsing Info@aviationghana.com +233 243376878
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What to know about air cargo operations in Ghana Continued from Page 4 of Jan 7-8, 2021 Edition 4. Space This brings us to how much space is required for these facilities, and other supporting areas, to provide a seamless cargo operation. At some airports, this decision is restricted by space availability. In Hong Kong or Sydney. for example, there is little space available, whereas in a new-build such as in Doha, Qatar or Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Ghana space may not be such a consideration. When determining the footprint of a cargo area, important considerations include facilities large enough to contain and handle increasing freight demand, sufficient airside apron space and landside vehicle loading/ unloading and turning space: staging areas for empty and full ULDs, and for dolleys and tugs as well as other handling equipment: and road connections to and between facilities. An operator may also wish to make land available for the development of integrator and freight forwarder facilities The airport operator should work closely with (prospective) stakeholders to understand their operational methodology and validate their forecasts for growth In extreme cases, each of, say, three handlers may have assumed they will capture 100% of the forecast freight growth of the airport. Tenants require sufficient facility space into which they can expand without the need to constantly build. At the same time, they wish to achieve satisfactory building productivity measures (tonnes/ square meters). Finding the right balance can be challenging. A robust assessment of tenants’ current and future facility capacity requirements will help to determine building and space requirements over time and provide realistic planning horizons. Ancillary buildings, parking, staging space and other amenities for customers and employees may also need to grow as tenants’ businesses expand. 5. Location The decision on where the cargo area will be located on an airport site will not only depend on where the necessary space is available, but also on accessibility and the commercial and operational effect on other aviation activities. Airport land is valuable, an airport’s cargo business does not typically deliver revenues comparable to those of other areas of an airports business. An operator may therefore not wish to compromise some areas of the airport site that may in future be
put to more profitable use. Likewise, it is important to ensure that land required for other potential operational uses does not become blocked or sterilized. Integrating the footprint of the cargo area into the complete airport master plan will help to establish such risks and support strategic decisions. Accessibility, both landside and airside, will influence the location of a cargo area. A seamless freight operation calls for unconstrained road connections to the main road network, permitting efficient access for customers and local off-airport partners, including road feeder services. Airside, stakeholders require close proximity to freighter aprons and fast access to aircraft parked at passenger terminal stands to minimize airside connection times and operating costs. The location of the individual facilities within the cargo area needs to be considered Control posts should be in a convenient position for all users, and Customs and special handling facilities close to the ground handling operation to minimize unnecessary freight dwell durations and so on. The airport has many decisions to make before meeting the challenge of providing facilities It needs to decide if it is in the business of facilitating everything that helps carriers to justify a decision to land on their runways It then needs to determine how it can provide freight facilities suitable to the local market and targeted stakeholder requirements. The airport must also ensure that the cargo area is designed to accommodate growth expectations. To some airport operators, the freight business may be viewed as a source of troublesome congestion and land use for little revenue return. However, the ultimate picture is to develop more routes with more carriers, helping to build the business of the airport. Airport business is dependent on aircraft movements (i.e. landings and takeoffs), passenger uplifts and freight through-put to generate revenues. UNDERSTANDING THE AIR CARGO SERVICE BUSINESS Air cargo business is usually built on a simple premise; to help clients get their goods to market quickly and economically, wherever the market might be. Different types of services have been designed to better serve the customer. Examples of air cargo services are; 1. Priority: Typical transit time of
1 to 2days from departure airport to destination airport. Priority is ideal for time-critical shipments. All consignments are scheduled for the next direct flight or fastest available connection. 2. Standard: Typical transit time to 3 to 4 days from departure airport to destination airport. Standard provides a cost- effective and timely solution, as most cargo airlines most destinations several times a week and major centers daily. 3. Economy: Typical transit of 5 to 6 days from departure airport to destination airport. Where transit times are less critical, airlines recommend economy. 4. Now: This usually is used for urgent and ultra-secure shipments. It employs the fastest route your cargo can take with immediate confirmation or orders. Now can feature onboard couriers, charters, helicopter transfers or any combination of transport methods. SERVICE OPTIONS There are service options, under which clients can specify the type of pick-up and delivery options for each single shipment or consolidation service. These are; · Door to Door · Airport to Airport · Door to Airport · Airport to Door COMBINED AND ADDITIONAL SERVICE OPTIONS Usually, the range of services/ products can be combined and the air cargo carrier companies usually provide additional services which compliment their core operational activity to the benefit of the client. Some of these are: High Value Cargo
Handling (HVH), Dangerous Goods Handling (DGH), Shock Sensitive Cargo Handling, Temperature Controlled Transportation, Cargo Insurance, Letter of Credit Processing (LC), Certification and Legalizations of Documents Food and Drug Administration Filing (FDA) Advanced Cargo Information Filing ( ACI), Customs Clearance, Support tools: The companies in the sector usually assist client by providing free and easy-to –use tools. Eg · “Quotation” is a service that allows the client to obtain or know the cost of shipping his/her goods. This is usually carried out on line. All the clients to have to questionnaire to complete an online questionnaires. · “Tracking” is an outline tracking/ tracing system which companies enable clients obtain exact information on the progress of their shipments.
There is an excerpt of a yet-to-belaunched book titled ‘Airport Business In Ghana’ authored by Dr. John Okwesie Arthur.
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COVID-19: WTTC requests for removal of quarantines, supports new travel measures The WTTC has backed measures designed to curb the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health but has called for the complete removal of unnecessary quarantines. Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO noted that: “Requiring inbound travellers and holidaymakers to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 pre-departure test should ensure safe travel. This will be critical to encourage essential bookings for future flights and holidays. “However, there is still uncertainty around the type of tests which will be accepted upon arrival, and they must be made widely accessible and affordable for all. “But unlike many other countries where the proof of a negative test has replaced quarantines, to further insist all arriving travellers must isolate for ten days or undergo a further test five days later is an unnecessary precaution. It will only stifle travel, putting yet more pressure on the embattled Travel & Tourism sector. “Continuing with these damaging quarantines and added unnecessary
restrictions will impact forward bookings which will be vital to revive international air travel, bring back Travel & Tourism sector jobs and resuscitate the global economy, while also protecting public health. “WTTC has long called for an internationally recognised rapid and cost-effective testing regime upon departure at airports worldwide. This would avoid exporting the virus, especially by departing outbound passengers, and aid the restoration of international travel. “According to the WTTC’s 2020 Economic Impact Report, the importance of inbound international visitors is laid bare; international visitor spend in 2019 contributed £28.2 billion, representing 4.2% of the UK’s total exports. “Travel & Tourism is critical to the UK’s economic well-being and is responsible for almost four million jobs, or 11% of the country’s total workforce. It also generated nearly £200 billion GDP, or 9% to the UK economy.” (Source: CAPA)
Lufthansa and SWISS offer more travelling options to Australia Lufthansa and SWISS are offering their customers more flight options to Australia again. The airline group in a statement said transit is via Singapore’s Changi International Airport – Lufthansa Group’s main hub for connecting flights to Down Under. “Enabling transit connections is a game-changer – especially for reconnecting Europe and Australia,” says Heiko Brix, Lufthansa Group Airlines’ Chief for Southeast Asia. Currently, flying to Australia with Lufthansa is also possible by flying via Japan and continuing from there with its partner All Nippon Airways. Lufthansa and SWISS, together with its partner Singapore Airlines, currently offer more than 10 weekly flights from either Frankfurt or Zurich to Singapore. From there, Lufthansa customers can easily connect to major Australian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin and Perth) with Singapore Airlines. “We know thousands of Australians are stranded in Europe, and longing
to return home and be with their families, friends and loved ones,” says Heiko Brix. Since capacity between Europe and Australia remains scarce, Lufthansa, SWISS and Singapore Airlines are ready to fill this void. Heiko Brix: “We will continue to help reconnect the world.”
The airline group said: “Every Lufthansa Group flight will adhere to strict health and hygiene standards. Overall, the chance of contracting the Corona virus on a Lufthansa Group flight is extremely low. For example, all Lufthansa Group aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art HEPA filters that continuously clean cabin
air. Further, all recirculated air is filtered and cleaned of impurities such as dust, bacteria, and viruses. This accounts for 40 percent of cabin air while 60 percent is added as fresh air from outside the aircraft. HEPA filter technology is also used in hospital operating room air conditioning systems to create an almost sterile environment. Additionally, all procedures and processes throughout the entire travel chain will continue to be reviewed to guarantee maximum safety for each and every one of our customers and based on the latest findings and hygiene standards of experts.” “In total, it is safe to say Lufthansa Group airlines have always maintained the highest standards of safety and hygiene for our passengers – it’s at the core of our DNA. We already did a lot before the coronavirus hit the world, and we will certainly continue to do so in these extraordinary times,” Heiko Brix said. (Source: Lufthansa Group)
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Wine Tourism — Experiencing one of the world’s bond By Natasha Appiah As we travel and explore, we often enjoy some exquisite cuisines and really fine drinks. These foods and drinks all have an untold rich history-the land and its people involved in the production. Recently, former UNWTO Executive Director, Carlos Vogeler, joined the Global Wine Tourism Organisation (GWTO) as Senior Advisor. Addressing his new colleagues, he said: “I join this great project to work with its exceptional team of people committed to helping tourism destinations through the development and promotion of wine tourism. I share with you all the excitement of this project and would like to offer my support in promoting the activities of the Organization in your respective areas of work to bring value to our members”. Wine tourism affords tourists, especially for ones who may have never visited a wine country, a handson experience of a winery, its number of bottles, barrels, the scents, the
temperatures and the vineyards that go on and on. Some countries offering the best winery experiences include: France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, New Zealand and South Africa. Now, as wine drinking is increasingly becoming a thing of common interest, wine producers and retailers regularly hold wine tasting events in various markets across the globe. For instance, in Ghana, not only can a South African wines be found in all major wine shops but South African wine producers, with support from their High Commission in Ghana, have been holding special wine tasting events over the years. According to Forbes, there are different types of Wine Tourism. Although one thing is certain, wine bonds them all. Whether you are taking part in the harvest or attending a wine tasting, you are in the position to take home incredible memories and to make new friends.
Travel Ghana to boost domestic tourism as Coronavirus lingers Domestic tourism is one of the surest ways of getting the Ghanaian economy back on track from the ravaging effects of COVID-19. It’s a low hanging fruit that holds the key to unlocking our self-reliance and a buoyant economy. People are not traveling en masse outside their home countries like they used to prior to the onset of Coronavirus. And with the second wave of the virus which has spread across Europe and elsewhere, forcing lockdowns and restrictions, our traditional source markets cannot be relied on at this time to shore up our tourism receipts. This calls for targeted domestic campaigns to woo the citizenry to our sites and attractions. The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), the Ghana Tourism Federation and other institutions must double up on the various domestic tourism drives, specifically “See Eat Wear Feel Ghana” and if necessary, come up with new ones. In this regard, I commend the GTA for introducing the Travel, Snap and Win initiative to encourage people to share their experiences of the tourist attractions they visit. This is certainly a good way to whip up people’s interest in domestic tourism and it needs to be supported and promoted. Tour operators, accommodation
facilities, transport companies must join hands to put together packages that are affordable to the ordinary Ghanaian. GTA should engage the media extensively in promoting our attractions. There should be conscientious effort to draw tourists to our attractions at this crucial moment of our national life. The country boasts of rich vegetation and an inexhaustible supply of mineral wealth. But perhaps what sets out Ghana apart amongst her West African peers is its wide array of tourism offerings. While the sub-region hasn’t yet developed a major traveller hub in the same way that some other regions of the continent have, Ghana is ready and eager to assume that mantle. A culturally rich country with idyllic beaches and travel-perfect weather all year round, Ghana also has the political and economic stability required to scale a tourism industry. Ghana is a culturally diverse country with renowned culture- related celebrations that attract many visitors and tourists from around the world each year. Funerals in Ghana are some of the most elaborate and flamboyant in the world. Traditional festivals add on to the colour and splendour of its rich culture. It’s capital, the City of
Accra has become widely known as a melting pot of creative and artistic expression with a dazzling bit of the Skyscrapers of New York and the bright lights of Paris. Night life in Accra is a must-experience for anyone who enjoys whiling away the throes of the day in a party mood. Visitors and tourists to Ghana will find and enjoy the famous Ghanaian hospitality which is bolstered by the existence of some of the biggest names in hotel and accommodation in the world. Pristine and white sand beaches are strewn across the country, making Ghana very ideal for anyone who revels in basking in the sun and sand. Along the shores of Ghana’s vast coastline are forts and castles that are preserved as concrete reminders of the country’s involvement with the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Many of these buildings are designated UNESCO World Heritage monuments which attract thousands of tourists from around the world. Ghana has abundant wildlife with many national parks dedicated to protecting animals and promoting sustainability. The country is a paradise for bird watchers as it boasts of a wide range of bird species. Elephants and various monkey species also abound in these parks which also present the best of the country’s fauna. Dramatic
and resplendent landscapes aided by man-made attractions such as the longest Canopy Walkway in Africa adds to the beauty of Ghana’s Ecotourism offering. With a large repertoire of foods, Ghanaian delicacies and dishes are some of the most nutritious and worth drooling for. There are spectacular sites and attractions that will help tourists understand the diverse settlement patterns of the various groups in the country. From the village on stilts in Nzulezo to the Tongo-Tengzuk Cultural Landscape and Sacred Shrines which for years have been inhabited by the Talensi people of the Upper East Region, all provide for a unique touristic experience. The Volta Region and parts of the Eastern Region, notably the Kwahu area are all emerging as exciting and fast growing tourist areas that must be seen and explored. So make no mistake, this piece is not for the foreign travelLer; it is for you, the ordinary Ghanaian who wield the power to change the narrative of our tourism by the simple act of moving from your regular place of habitation to any other part of the country to travel, see and explore our beautiful land.
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All I want for African tourism in 2021 By Natasha Appiah As Simon Stobbs, chief sales officer for Wilderness Safaris, puts it: “This year has taken its toll on the psychological well-being of many, including those working in the industry whose sense of self-worth and meaning was removed the minute they weren’t able to host guests in hotels, lodges, airlines and touring companies across the continent. It is our wish that our guests return to visit Africa as soon as possible, so that we can continue to create life-changing journeys that inspire positive action.” Indeed, never before has the tourism industry craved the promise of a new year more than it does today, as it hopes for new and increased travel and tourism opportunities and the implementation of vaccines that could spell the end of the pandemic. As the pandemic has completely reset the travel clock, 2021 will be the year for reinvention. The end of seasonality, a renewed focus on conservation and a greater appreciation of the tourism experience are some of the changes industry players in Africa want to see. Here’s their wish list for 2021: Slow down and appreciate the experience “Going forward, we encourage clients to not rush from one place to the next, but rather stay at a lodge for a longer period of time and return to Africa more regularly,” said Marcelo Novais, managing director of Ker & Downey Africa DMC. “Before the global travel bans, even seasoned travelers to Africa would spend only two nights at a lodge before rushing off to their next stop.” Novais said he hopes that clients will stay at a lodge for around five nights. This will give them time to immerse themselves in their destination, connect with the team at the properties and learn more about the culture, local communities and wildlife in the area. “By doing this, I hope that clients will experience different African destinations throughout their lifetime as opposed to just a once off trip,” he said. Focus on sustainability and make it a differentiator A greater focus on sustainability is the future for tourism in Africa, according to Giltedge Africa’s Murray Gardiner. “My wish is that the lessons we learned in 2020 about the importance of a greener future will remain with us going forward, that each safari operator in Africa commits to
responsible and ethical tourism practices and that we take continue taking care of our communities, wild spaces, and animals,” Gardiner said. Katie Gomer, product manager for Africa at Travel Beyond, said her wish is that both travelers and travel advisors begin to make destination choices based on a property or portfolio’s true conservation ethos. “I personally work with incredible organizations that are making meaningful and impactful investments in both the wildlife and the local people in the areas they operate,” Gomer said. “They recognize that tourism is a way to strengthen a traveler’s understanding of the overall ecosystems and culture. Moving forward, I’d love to see these efforts be a true differentiator for them in the marketplace.” A renewed commitment to community, conservation and sustainability, is also on the wish list for Rob Moffett of the Ongava Game Reserve. “Each of us now experienced first-hand the abuse of nature. How man, and in what form, are all our multiple abuses of nature going to affect us. And our children?” Mefi Pishori Alapat, safari designer at Journey to Africa, said she would like to see more empowerment in 2021. “I would like to see safari lodges and safari partners invest and empower the communities surrounding the parks and concessions,” she said. In addition, she’d also like to see more women empowered to work in the safari business. “This is more than a 2021 wish list, as this will take time,” she said. “I love working with safari partners who encourage local women to become safari guides, camp managers, etc.” Dethrone the Big Five For Hilton Walker, managing director of sales, marketing and reservations for Great Plains Conservation, the idea of the Big Five needs to be revisited. “Clients come to Africa, this massive continent, to only see five animals,” Walker said. “It causes unbelievable angst in the guests, and it puts the game rangers under unbelievable stress. Game rangers now need to go and run around to find the elusive leopard, and there’s a reason why the leopard is elusive. By creating this hype around the Big Five, it creates unrealistic expectations and disappointment when the Big Five is not seen.” Jim Holden, Holden Safaris, agreed and said he has never promoted
safaris as being about the so-called Big Five, instead using the mantra, “look down before you look up” making sure you see the smaller animals in Africa, which in many ways are more fascinating than the Big Five. “We love to point out the behavior of the lowly dung beetle, busily pushing his ball of dung to feed his wife and new family,” Holden said. “PostCovid, clients will ‘reinvent’ safari to be more about connecting with nature than the number of gold taps in the bathroom or air conditioning in the rooms.” The end of seasonality The idea of high seasons and low seasons for game viewing is not realistic, according to Walker. “Africa has a living entity called wildlife,” he said. “If you go to an area where there are cats -- lions, leopards, cheetahs, etc. -- you can rest assured that they will come out, as they have to eat something every three to four days. Antelope migrate but cats are territorial. Predators don’t disappear during the ‘low season.’” Walker admitted that there are certain times of the year where iconic experiences take place, such as migrations or the flooding of deltas. But he stresses that the wildlife experience in January is just as good -- if not better -- than in July and August. The summer season is green and beautiful and offers a unique wildlife experience with all the young being dropped. In addition, summer afternoons offer the most spectacular African thunderstorms. Look beyond tried-and-tested destinations and products Onne Vegter, managing director of Wild Wings Safaris, said, “Africa
has so much more to offer than the standard bread-and-butter itineraries we saw before the pandemic. “People will be looking for smaller, more intimate lodges and destinations. There’s nothing wrong with the large 100 room hotels or lodge groups, but I would encourage tour consultants to seek out new products and activities, smaller suppliers, lesser-known game reserves, hidden gems and new areas.” Closer industry and government collaboration There is nothing to reinvent, according to Vegter, who said that the hallmark of tourism’s resilience is its adaptability. “As the world changes, we adapt” he explained. “But while we’re all in the process of adapting to a changing landscape, with new challenges and evolving technology, we need to remember that relationships matter. We need each other. We need to value and support our suppliers and our trade partners in the value chain.” For Vegter, it’s important that the support and collaboration extends to governments. “Promoting tourism should be a national priority,” he said. “I am hoping to see greater government action to address the issues that continue to harm tourism or scare tourists away. We need to see more cooperation between countries, regions, governments and the private sector.” Nobody knows what 2021 will bring, but let’s hope that this African tourism wish list becomes a reality. Because, as Stobbs said, “It is the ideal time to visit Africa -- we are ready and waiting to welcome you.”
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