Domestic airlines are seeing a sharp increase in passenger numbers as many voters finalise their travel plans to return to their home constituencies as the December 7 elections draw near.Airline operators have stepped up efforts to handle the growing demand and are preparing for an even higher surge in bookings as election day approaches.

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Channel One News reports that airlines are playing a key role in transporting voters, election officials, and materials during this important time.Captain Kwasi Oteng made the statement on December 2, 2024, during a press conference held at the Africa World Airlines (AWA) headquarters in Accra, Ghana.

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He addressed the media to discuss the airline's preparedness for the increased air traffic expected during the election season and the upcoming festive period

increase in passenger traffic has already started; in the last couple of weeks, we have seen a significant rise in domestic travel around the country. So to manage that, we have actually made adjustments to our commercial schedule.

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This is something we are actually doing daily.“With what we have noticed recently, we have actually adjusted the domestic schedule, for example, for Tamale. We go there three times a day; we are now increasing that to five times a day, and Kumasi presently we’re doing six a day; we’re increasing that to eight.

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”Captain Oteng also highlighted the airline’s collaboration with the Ghana Airport Company Limited to ensure passenger safety remains uncompromised during this busy period. “AWA has the highest safety records of operations in Ghana. We take safety very seriously, so as far as the present time versus the time of the elections, there’s no change. We have always operated on a safety level, and that is one hundred percent safety.

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”Despite the airlines’ preparedness, a key challenge for voters who delay booking their flights lies in the limited operational hours of the Tamale and Kumasi airports, which do not currently provide 24-hour domestic flight services.

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