600 GIA passengers stranded at Gatwick

GIA (fin)



Story: Boahene Asamoah

ABOUT 600 passengers of the national carrier, Ghana International Airlines (GIA), are stranded at the Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom since last Friday as result of engine failure that grounded the aircraft.
The airline, which flies one leased aircraft and operates six flights from Accra to the United Kingdom and vice versa, suffered a “bird-strike” which destroyed the engine.
Reacting to the developments in an interview, the acting Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Mr Mante Azu, denied reports that the aircraft was seized at the airport by the company that owned it.
He said the aircraft developed the “bird-strike” the day before and upon inspection, it was learnt that it could not fly as a result of engine failure.
Mr Azu stated that efforts had been made to acquire a new aircraft engine which was currently being installed and was hopeful that by today (Monday) the aircraft would be able to fly.
He explained that after the installation of the engine, there had to be test runs to make sure that the aircraft was in good shape to fly and that such test runs had to be done within a certain time.
“We have also secured a second aircraft to facilitate the flying of the backlog passengers at both Gatwick and Accra,” the acting CEO stated, adding that arrangements had also been made to ensure that some passengers joined other airlines.
Mr Azu added that there had been difficulty in securing an aircraft early enough because of the summer season, which was the season for most airlines.
He said a tentative schedule would be announced today, which would see the aircraft arriving in Accra by 2p.m. today and fly back to the UK by 3.30 p.m. the same day.