Utilicraft Aerospace Ind. Inc. (fka AMUC)

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Afra Airlines and CTK-CiTylinK Announce Alliance for Domestic and West African [DWHGVVL]

Flights

Business Editors

ACCRA, Ghana--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2005--Afra Airlines and CTK-CiTylinK, both Accra-based airlines, today announced they have entered into a cooperative agreement that will enable new flight services for domestic Ghanaian routes and open West African regional routes serving a market of 400 million people in the ECOWAS region.
The new service, called AfraCityLink, starts domestic services from 15 February 2005 and commences its West African regional routes in March.
Capt. Tei Azu, Executive Director of CTK- CiTylinK said today, "The name AfraCityLink was the obvious choice as it aptly describes what we do - we link African cities. AfraCityLink plans to expand to become the preferred link between African cities beginning with the West African Sub-Region from our base in Accra. We are pleased to join forces with Afra Airlines to enable this expansion of services in Ghana and the sub-region."
Representatives of Afra Airlines and CTK-CiTylinK signed their joint cooperation and code share agreement in Accra today.
Capt. Paul Forjoe, Managing Director of Afra Airlines said, "Within Ghana, AfraCityLink's immediate goal is to increase the flight frequency to Kumasi and to expand with new services from Accra to Tamale and Sunyani. On the West African regional front, this alliance will make possible the launch of West Coast destinations like Monrovia, Freetown, Lagos, Banjul, Lome, Cotonou, Abidjan, Bamako and Ouagadogou."
Headquartered in Accra, Afra Airlines is a new consumer airline focused on providing seamless, efficient and low-cost air transport services to and from destinations within Ghana, Africa, Europe and North America. Afra Airlines was recently awarded its Air Carriers license for cargo and passenger operations by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and an Air Tour Operators License from the Ghana Tourist Board. Afra Airlines recently merged with the Boeing 747 owner and charter operator, Global Air Group, to complete their financing arrangements for their purchase of 100 of Utilicraft Aerospace Industries, Inc.'s new FF-1080-300 Freight Feeder aircraft valued at $1.2 Billion for deliveries commencing in 2007.
John Dupont, CEO and President of Utilicraft Aerospace Industries, the manufacturers of the FF-1080-300 aircraft said today: "We congratulate and Afra Airlines on their recent merger with Global Air Group and their announcement to the market today of the launch of AfraCityLink aimed at serving 400 million people in West Africa. This is the first step in what we are sure will become an important and prominent African based initiative to establish Afra's integrated airline, resorts and, most important to Utilicraft Aerospace Industries, their FF-1080-300 cargo feed operations, as a private enterprise initiative made possible with obvious support and assistance by the relevant authorities in the Government of Ghana in line with NEPAD and ECOWAS goals for promoting such development in Africa."
CTK Network Aviation Ltd is a multi-purpose airline company offering executive air charter, general aviation, aerial photography, medical evacuation and scheduled airline services to the Ghanaian and West African business community and public. CTK Network Aviation Ltd, which has been in existence for the past 11 years, introduced domestic flights in Ghana under the trade name of CiTylinK on Thursday, September 18, 2003 plying the Accra-Kumasi route. CTK Network Aviation Ltd presently operates five (5) aircraft. Four are fully owned and the fifth, a Let 410-UVP is on lease.
CTK Network Aviation Ltd was awarded its West African regional route designation by the Ghana Government on 10 June 2004 and is poised to commence operations from its hub in Accra shortly with the introduction of two (2) regional jet aircraft and one 30 to 40-seat turbojet aircraft with the assistance of Afra Airlines. CTK's stated policy is to pioneer and enhance the aviation experience and awareness in the West African sub region - and the route expansion and cooperation agreement with Afra Airlines announced today is a pragmatic expression of that business strategy.
CTK was founded in May 1994 by two Ghanaian pilots, a Dutch engineer and a Photogrammetrist. Their sound management, along with extensive worldwide experience in their specialized fields, has enabled the company to grow a single Cessna 206 in 1994 to its present fleet of five (5) aircraft - a further two (2) regional jet aircraft and one 30 to 40-seat turbojet aircraft are now planned to be added over the next two months with the assistance of Afra Airlines.
Mr. Koos Vlaar, Director of CTK-CiTylinK said, "CiTylinK and Afra Airlines are excited at the prospect of providing the traveling public with a new, viable, reliable and direct alternative." Mr. Vlaar went on to announce the new theme for the joint operations as "AfraCityLink: Linking African Cities in Style"
Mr. Luke Butler, Executive Chairman and CEO of Afra Airlines stated, "Afra Airlines is building a network. Through this joint endeavor we aim to better serve the ECOWAS region and at the same time to set the foundation to be able to offer regional and domestic links in support of the Ministry of Tourism's initiatives for linking Ghana and West African destinations together with our long haul international destinations. Afra Airlines is committed to punctuality, reliability, value and the delivery of uniquely African hospitality. Our cooperation and code-share agreement today makes possible the launch of our domestic and regional services under the AfraCityLink banner."

--30--LK/at*

CONTACT: Utilicraft Aerospace Industries, Inc.
John J. Dupont, [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.utilicraft.com
or
Afra Airlines Ltd.
Luke Butler, [phone], [phone]
[phone]
[e-mail]
or
CTK - CiTylinK
Capt. Tei Azu, [phone] or 770445
[e-mail]

KEYWORD: GEORGIA INTERNATIONAL AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: AEROSPACE/DEFENSE AIRLINES TRANSPORTATION MARKETING AGREEMENTS
SOURCE: Utilicraft Aerospace Industries

Copyright Business Wire 2005

03Feb05 16:55 GMT
Source BW Business Wire
Categories: MST/I/AIR MST/I/ARO MST/I/TRQ MST/L/EN MST/R/AFR MST/R/US/GA MST/S/PDT TGT/BWN