Top West African airlines sign up for Accra Weizo

It has been confirmed that three leading airlines in Africa, ASKY, ARIK and AERO will participate at this year’s Accra Weizo event scheduled for the July 15 in Accra Ghana. The event will see Chief Executive Officers of the Airlines discuss industry issues, especially the increasing challenges faced by Airlines in the sub-region.

West Africa has a population of over 300 Million from 15 Countries and over 40 Airports. Despite having the largest Economy in Africa, the sub-region is very poor in when it comes to Aviation matters, compared to East, South and Northern Africa. Till date, West Africa cannot boast of a major Aviation hub not to talk of a super Airline.

As it is, most Airlines come to West Africa to fill up their balance sheet, yet the Airlines in West Africa struggle to maintain profitability. And to a large extent, taxes and policy hurdles seem to be crippling profitable operations in the sub-region.

These issues among others will be thrashed out at the Aviation session of the event expected to be Chaired by the DG NCAA, who will be supported by his Ghanaian compatriot GCAA.

Accra Weizo is an event put together by the organisers of Akwaaba African Travel Market with the support of Ghana Ministry of Tourism Culture and Creative Arts. The event, which debuted last year, has Seamless Travels in West Africa as its 2016 theme and will host a discussion session on West Africa as a Single Destination.

The Guest Speaker for the Aviation session is Mr. Henock Teferra, the Managing Director of ASKY Airlines, a pan Africa airline based in Lome, Togo. He will be speaking on the topic, The Challenges of Running a Successful Regional Airline in West Africa. Other speakers at this year’s event are the Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors Limited, Captain Fola Akinkuotu and the Vice Chairman of SAHCOL Mr. Chike Ogeah.

According to Ikechi Uko, the Organiser of the event, Accra Weizo is a one-day Travel Seminar, Awards, Exhibition and the objective is to improve Travel and Tourism growth in West Africa through easy access to towns and cities in West Africa. Hosted by La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, supported by Ethiopian Airlines, Accra city hotel and Kempinski Gold city Hotel Accra, the programme will host over 150 travel professionals, who will also participate in a tour of the Cape Coast.