The Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, is appealing to domestic airline operators to reduce air transport fares in light of the cedi’s strong performance against the US dollar and other major currencies.
He encouraged airline operators to follow the example of road transport providers, who recently reduced their fares by 15 percent.
Speaking to journalists at a stakeholders’ breakfast meeting organised by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in Accra, Mr. Nikpe stated that the benefits of the cedi’s appreciation should positively impact consumers, particularly within the services sector.
“You are aware of the gains our cedi has made. Our cedi has appreciated against all the major currencies. As such, we anticipate that it will reflect in service delivery and reduce the cost of doing business in our country,” he said.
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Mr. Nikpe also expressed concern over the limited competition in Ghana’s domestic airline industry, which he attributed to the small number of operating airlines.
“With only two domestic airlines, there is a kind of monopoly that has kept fares high. But this breakfast meeting serves as a platform to appeal to them to consider what the road transport sector did by reducing fares by 15 percent—and to take a cue from that by also lowering their prices,” he stressed.
He further disclosed that the government will continue engaging with airline operators, who have indicated a willingness to consider fare reductions.
“It is my hope that they will respond positively to our request and review their fares downward. You heard them mention that they are considering various factors. We are hopeful that once their deliberations are complete, we will see a reduction in fares.”
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Meanwhile, Acting Director General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur, urged stakeholders to support the Authority in upholding its core mandate of ensuring safety, security, and operational excellence at all times.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Benjamin Sackey
