United to launch first African service

Published: 03/03/2010 - Filed under: News »

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United Airlines has released details of its first direct service to Africa, linking Washington DC to Accra, capital city of Ghana.

From June 21 United will fly direct to Kotoka International Airport from Washington Dulles International Airport once daily, however the service is yet to receive government approval.

Yesterday Virgin Atlantic also announced it was adding Accra to its network out of London Heathrow, in direct competition with British Airways (see online news March 2). Along with United’s announcement today, it is a sign that Ghana is on the rise as a commercially viable destination.

United has assigned the service a flight number, although it does not yet have full government approval. UA991 will leave Kotoka for Washington at 2300 on June 21, arriving at 0625 the next day. The return flight will leave Washington at 2210 for Accra, arriving at 1240 the following day.

United said flights to and from Accra would be “conveniently timed” for connections from its hub at Washington Dulles.

“With the addition of service from Accra, United now offers customers nonstop service to points on six continents,” said Mark Schwab, United’s senior VP Alliances.

United has also revealed plans to add Lagos to its network, once it receives the go-ahead from the Nigerian government.

For more information visit united.com.

Report by Andrew Gough

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