Domestic airline PassionAir has announced a suspension of its flight operations across all routes due to a looming aviation fuel shortage in the capital, Accra.
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has warned of a likely disruption in fuel supply from Wednesday, July 22 to Sunday, July 27, prompting the airline to ground its operations during the affected period.
In a statement issued on July 23, PassionAir expressed regret over the inconvenience the suspension might cause. “We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” the airline said, urging passengers and the general public to reach out to its customer service on 0800 221 221 for further assistance and real-time updates. The airline also thanked customers for their “patience and understanding” during this period.
Affected passengers were promptly notified via text message, which read: “Dear Valued Customer Due to an aviation fuel shortage in Accra and Kumasi, your flight has been cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
The flight disruptions come just weeks after the airline rolled out a 10% reduction in ticket prices across all its domestic routes. The fare adjustment, which took effect on Tuesday, June 17, was introduced in response to the strengthening of the Ghana cedi. The move followed calls by Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe for domestic airlines to pass on the benefits of the currency’s gains to consumers.
“This fare adjustment comes in response to the recent strengthening of the Cedi (GHs) against major foreign currencies. At PassionAir, we are committed to ensuring our valued customers benefit directly from positive market developments,” the airline announced on Facebook.
It added: “As the domestic aviation landscape evolves, we remain focused on offering competitive fares that reflect these changes. While maintaining our commitment to the safety and comfort of our passengers, we continue to prioritize making domestic air travel more accessible and affordable for all Ghanaians.”
The cedi’s appreciation, observed over the past two months, has seen the local currency trading at an average of GH₵10.29 to the US dollar and GH₵14.00 to the British pound as of June 16. This marks the first time since 2021 that the dollar has dropped below GH₵10 on the interbank market under the Akufo-Addo administration.
Founded in August 2018 from charter flight operations in the oil and gas sector, PassionAir entered Ghana’s commercial aviation scene with a maiden flight to Kumasi on August 23, 2018. The event was attended by the Anantahene, Nana Baffour, representing the Manhyia Palace.
The airline has since expanded to include services to Tamale, Takoradi, Wa, and Sunyani—making it the domestic carrier with the broadest route coverage in Ghana. Its Sunyani route, launched within the last year, operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at a fare of GH₵600.
In 2022, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, the then Upper West Regional Minister, appealed to the airline to resume daily Wa–Kumasi flights to support regional commerce. During a courtesy call by PassionAir officials, he emphasized the significance of Kumasi as a trade hub for Wa-based businesses.
Operating a fleet of four Bombardier Dash 8–Q400 aircraft, PassionAir offers 78-seater flights equipped with HEPA filters that remove 99.97% of airborne particles. Three aircraft are dedicated to commercial routes, while one supports charter services. The Q400 is designed for efficiency, combining high-speed capabilities with reduced noise and carbon emissions, positioning it as an eco-friendly alternative in urban areas.
The Q400 series, produced by De Havilland Canada, boasts a dispatch reliability rate exceeding 99.5% and has accumulated nearly seven million flight hours globally. With more than 400 million passengers flown and over 60 global operators, the Q400 remains a leader in modern turboprop aviation.
Leadership at PassionAir includes Board Chair Air Commodore (Rtd.) Victor Kwame Mamphey and Managing Director Samuel Ato Hagan. Other key figures are Edward Annan (Accountable Manager), Patricia Annan (Personal Assistant), Duncan Sambu (COO), Akua Boateng (Director of Business Development), and Kwesi Afreh Biney (Board Member).
Senior managers overseeing operations include Akosua Okyere-Nyako Arthur (Quality), Senyawor Tay (Safety), Capt. Nasser Sinare (Chief Pilot), Ridwane Adamou (Commercial), Jacob Kilee (Senior Operations), and Capt. Sydney Ribeiro (Flight Operations).
PassionAir’s long-term vision is to establish a reliable domestic air network that connects Ghana’s cities while serving as feeder traffic to intercontinental carriers in Accra. The company aims to integrate cutting-edge technology to lower operational costs and enhance customer satisfaction, with prospects of expanding into regional destinations.
