Yesterday, Monday 22nd October, Gambia Bird, the new national carrier supported by the Germania Group, commenced flying scheduled services from Banjul across West Africa – and will commence weekly Wednesday flights to London Gatwick tomorrow, 24th October. A weekly Saturday London Gatwick – Freetown service is also planned.
Operating A319-100 aircraft with 12 Business Class and 126 Economy Class seats, the airline’s schedule commences with flights to Accra, Monrovia, Dakar, Freetown, Conakry, London Gatwick and Barcelona – all from its headquarters at Banjul Yundum International Airport. Operations to Lagos will also start soon.
Karsten Balke, Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The origins of Gambia Bird stem from leveraging our business model that is founded in highly successful charter operations, to create a scheduled airline. We utilise a lean structure that outsources specialist support functions, such as technical and engineering, to expert providers and this enables us to get on with what we do best – running an airline.
“Market intelligence told us that economically the West African region is poised to grow at a phenomenal rate over the coming years and, while we acknowledge there are significant challenges within the region’s infrastructure to overcome, it is these very challenges that provide the springboard for a successful airline.
“We are not offering a low-cost airline. Our aim is to build a reputation for quality and reliability via our scheduled and punctual services with a choice of affordable ticket options. Importantly, we want to build an airline that embodies the wonderful warmth of the Gambian people, for at the end of the day it is that total exceptional experience that will make people want to fly with us again and again.”
A second A319-100 will come into operation in December, extending Gambia Bird’s reach and frequency throughout West Africa and further into Europe. Gambia Bird is also in talks with Brussels Airlines about a co-operation agreement.
