afrol News, 9 March - The US airliner Virgin Atlantic has announced it will launch direct flights between Accra and London Heathrow this summer. The new route is to include economy fares, competing well with other airliners.

The new route was announced yesterday, including low introduction fares. According to Virgin Atlantic, economy fare round trip tickets that "include all taxes, fees and surcharges" cost £451 in the limited 24 May to 30 June period. The company made no indication on the longer term price level of the new route.

Virgin Atlantic plans to operate three services a week on the UK-Ghana route starting on 24 May, but emphasises that this still is "subject to government approval." The airliner is to use AN Airbus A340-300 aircraft with 240 seats on the new route.

The announcement has been welcomed as a positive challenge to the virtual monopoly of British Airways (BA) on the Accra-London route. BA currently offers daily flights from London Heathrow to Accra. In addition, Ghana International runs four flights a week to Accra from London Gatwick.

Virgin Atlantic chief executive Steve Ridgway in a statement said the new services would "bring much needed competition onto this route." The US airliner holds there is a market for more airliner to operate this popular route.

"Nearly 200,000 people fly between London and Accra each year and our new services will give them more choice and better value for money," Mr Ridgway said.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories