Joy as United Airline reconnects Washington-Accra, awaits Nigeria’s approval

  • Dulles Int’l airport celebrates new service to Accra

 

Enthusiastic media, representatives of United and Ghanaian authorities today welcomed the resumption of the United States based United Airlines as the airline’s first flight landed in Accra, Ghana this morning. The airline has now reconnected Washington DC and Accra by air.

This is coming as the airline is looking forward to offering nonstop service between Lagos and Washington, D.C. with a new, three-times weekly service. The airline was operating Lagos to Houston prior to the 2016 economic depression amid foreign airlines’ N120 billion stuck in Nigeria.

United’s exit left Delta as the only U.S. carrier that continued to offer nonstop services between Atlanta, Lagos and Abuja.

Not setting a definite date, the airline had earlier said the new route is subject to government approval, stressing that tickets would be available for purchase on United.com  and the United app in the coming weeks.

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United Airlines’ aircraft

Meanwhile,   the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has celebrated the launch of United Airlines’ new nonstop service between the Washington, D.C., area and Accra, Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport (ACC), from its hub at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

The airport authority in a statement said with the addition of the new route, Dulles International becomes just the second passenger service gateway from the United States to the Ghanaian capital and United Airlines’ third nonstop connection from the United States to the African continent.

“The National Capital Region is home to one of the largest populations of native Ghanaians in the United States, and we are honored to welcome United Airlines’ new route from Dulles International to Accra, as we work together to forge an important new link between our two countries,” said Jack Potter, president and chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

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“Today, Accra joins nearly 40 other nonstop international destinations currently served from Dulles International, offering our customers more global connectivity as demand for air travel continues to rise.”

From Dulles International, United will connect 94 other cities across North America to the African nation. Schedule details of the new flight, which will operate three times weekly aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, are as follows:

Flight No. From To Departure/Arrival Days of Operation
UA996 IAD ACC 1815 / 0840+1 Sunday, Wednesday, Friday
UA997 ACC IAD 2345 / 0630+1 Monday, Thursday, Saturday

 

Enthusiastic Ghanaian media in action at Accra this morning with the arrival of United’s 1st flight new flight on the route that reconnects Washington DC and Accra. Picture credit: Linden Birns

“We couldn’t be more excited to see travel starting to rebound in the Washington region,” said Eddie Gordon, managing director of United’s Washington Dulles hub. “The start of our new Accra service today reminds us that the desire to travel and reconnect with friends and loved ones around the world is still strong. We look forward to welcoming our customers back to flying and delivering the outstanding service that will keep them choosing United.”

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United Airlines has operated a hub at Dulles International for more than 30 years and has served the National Capital Region for more than 50. United’s Dulles hub currently connects customers to 108 nonstop destinations, including convenient service to nine other international capital cities.

Wole Shadare