Lomé-based ASKY Airlines on Thursday, November 19, 2020 resumes its daily non-stop service between Accra and Johannesburg via Lomé. Given the troubles of South African Airways, the service becomes the main means of travelling between West Africa and the South Africa capital in this global pandemic.
AviationGhana’s Dominick Andoh speaks with Mr. Worlanyo Afadzinu, Country Manager of Asky Airlines about the resumption of this service and matters arising.
AviationGhana: We are in the middle of a pandemic, why restart that route now instead of restarting all old routes and increasing frequencies on operational ones?
ASKY: ASKY have restarted flights to all of its destinations with a full network coverage. The latest being Banjul, Gambia.
Johannesburg is not a new Service.
Asky have been operating to Johannesburg for over a year before the outbreak of Covid-19 which caused the shutdown of the Airline Industry.
We are resuming the operations to Johannesburg with some adjustment to the schedule to provide the convenience and satisfaction that our customers required.
We used to operate via LAGOS and Douala or Libreville to Johannesburg but with the new schedule, the flight is direct for Lome to Johannesburg thereby reducing the travel time for passengers from other part of Central Africa and West Africa, particularly Accra.
Johannesburg – South Africa will have seamless connection to ASKY’s vast network covering all of West and Central Africa markets with daily non-stop flights from Lomé
AviationGhana: The pandemic has greatly impacted South Africa’s economy. What’s your analysis of the SA and Lomé/ Accra aviation markets?
ASKY: Many economies are being rebuilt following the negative effect of COVID-19 and Air transportation is major catalyst in the growth of many economies.
The importance and benefits of air transport to the economies of Africa is clearly acknowledged in the Declaration on the sustainable development of air transport in Africa adopted in Antananarivo in 2015 and I quote: ‘Air transport is a catalyst for economic growth.
Air transport connects African States to regional and global markets which enhance travel and tourism, and the movement of goods and other vital business activities. It represents an essential lifeline for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Increased connectivity provides African countries with quick and efficient access to destinations throughout the continent and worldwide markets. Air transport and tourism are deeply interconnected drivers of economic growth and sustainable development.
Today, over half of all international tourists arrive at their destination by air. Africa has been one of the fastest-growing tourism regions of the last decade. This trend is indicative of how aviation is helping to expand tourism and vice versa, and how this can foster sustainable economic development and integration on the African continent.”
With our Hub operations in Lome, we connect passengers from over 20 countries to South Africa. This operation is to open up the Air space and reconnect the continent which automatically will generate the needed traffic.
There is an increased demand on the route which needs to be satisfied by creating the right product, just as Asky is doing.
This flight also creates the opportunity and opens up the US market to South Africa through our Codeshare flights from Lome to NEWARK and NEW YORK with Ethiopian Airlines.
This means that passengers from Johannesburg can fly directly to Lome on Asky and connect Ethiopian Airlines seamlessly to NEWARK or NEW YORK.
AviationGhana: Based on your assessment, is the route viable? Any projections to share?
ASKY: Considering our excellent connections to/from the United States, Central and West Africa, this is definitely a viable route to operate.
AviationGhana: What equipment would be used for this service?
ASKY: Asky operates B737-700 and B737-800 and these Aircrafts would be operating to Johannesburg.
AviationGhana: Should passengers expect any introductory offers?
ASKY: Yes, we have introduced affordable fares to drive demand. Fares from Accra to Johannesburg starts from $383 with all Taxes inclusive.
Passengers travelling on Asky between now and 31 December will also enjoy 3 pieces luggage with a piece weighing 23KG in economy and 32KG in business. What this means is that, passengers are allowed a total of 69KG in ECONOMY CLASS and 96KG in BUSINESS CLASS. Aside this huge baggage allowance, passengers are also allowed to purchase extra bag at reduced rate.
AviationGhana: Was the absence of SAA a key factor in your decision to start this route?
ASKY: The absence of SAA is not a factor in the decision to operate to Johannesburg. We started our Johannesburg flights even at the time SAA was fully operational.
The absence of SAA instead influenced the repackaging of our Johannesburg service. This led to the introduction of nonstop flights from Lome.
AviationGhana: For passengers connecting the flight from Accra, what are the scheduled departure and arrival times?
ASKY: For passengers connecting from Accra, this is the most convenient flight and the shortest route to Johannesburg.
Passengers from Accra have very short connecting time in Lome. Passengers can travel any day as the flights operate daily.
AviationGhana: Is PCR test required for passengers transiting through Lomé?
ASKY: PCR test is required for all Passengers travelling to Johannesburg. The same test results is valid for your connection in Lome
AviationGhana: Does SA require a PCR test be taken at the point of departure before reaching her shores?
ASKY: Negative (PCR) COVID-19 test at most 72 hours from the date of sample.
AviationGhana: Any other comments?
ASKY: We have introduced very attractive sales incentives for all categories of Travel Agents, Brokers and Tour operators. Aside the sales incentives, travel agents are offered various levels of sales commission. Passengers check in their bags in Accra and pick up in Johannesburg.
ASKY is a commercial company under private law and is managed by experienced African aviation professionals, with Ethiopian airlines as its strategic partner.
ASKY currently operates a fleet of nine aircraft: three (3) Boeing 737-800s, five (5) Boeing 737-700s and one (1) Dash Q-400, serving twenty-four (24) cities in twenty-one (21) countries within Africa.
ASKY’s focus is to develop a strong intra-Africa network that fosters regional development, tourism, economic growth and regional integration as a major economic catalyst within the continent with its long-term goal of a sustainable business focused on profitability.