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US-Based Airliner Launches a Daily Flight Service to Ghana

   Peter Clottey 17 June 2010

   The  Vice President of Resource and Planning of United Airlines, a U.S
   based carrier says Ghanaâs stability and strong democratic credentials
   influenced  the  companyâs  decision to launch a non-stop daily flight
   from Washington, D.C to Accra scheduled beginning Friday.

   Greg  Kaldhal  says  United Airlines is excited about the prospects of
   the daily flight to Ghana and promises to provide customers convenient
   and  comfortable  travel  opportunities  to  Africaâs  fastest-growing
   cities.

   âWe  are  excited about launching a service to Accra, Ghana today, our
   first   service   into   Africa.   Daily   flights   will  begin  from
   Washington-Dulles,  our  east coast gateway to Europe, the Middle East
   and  Africa with return flights that will leave Accra about 11 Oâclock
   at  night  and  arrive into our first bank in Washington-Dulles, which
   will  permit our customers from Accra to not only go to Washington but
   then on connecting service throughout the United States,â he said.

   Unitedâs new Africa schedule makes it only the second US-based carrier
   to provide non-stop flights to six continents.

AFP Photo

   Ghana's President Professor John Evans Atta-Mills

   According to United Airlines, the maiden flight which begins its daily
   non-stop   service   to  Africa  is  scheduled  for  20^th  June  from
   Washington-Dulles  Airport  to Kotoka International Airport in Ghanaâs
   capital, Accra.

   Kaldhal  said  United  Airlines  is excited about the prospects of its
   daily flights to Accra.

   âAs  we  look  around the world for opportunities to place our assets,
   Africa  in  general and Ghana in particular is already decent size and
   growing  market,  Market that is now able to sustain non-stop services
   as  evident  by  the  amount  of international service going into that
   market  or  has  gone  into  that  market over the last year or soâ¦,â
   Kaldhal said.

   He also said United Airlines sees Ghana as a very stable democracy and
   an emerging economy.

   The  international  community  often  describes  Ghana  as  a model of
   democracy,  characterized  by political stability, and respect for the
   rule  of  law  and  fundamental human rights and also enjoys peace and
   political harmony, qualities they say are essential for socio-economic
   progress and cultural advancement.

   Ambassador Daniel Ohene Agyekum, Ghanaâs envoy to the United States is
   scheduled  to participate in the launching of United Airlines non-stop
   flight service from Washington, DC to Accra.

   Industry  experts say United Airlines controls 12 percent of Americaâs
   market making it the second-largest U.S. airline.

   According to United Airlines, the company operates approximately 3,300
   flights  a  day  to  more  than  230  U.S.  domestic and international
   destinations  from  its  hubs  in  Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver,
   Chicago and Washington, D.C.

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