GACL hails Virgin Atlantic’s return to Ghana

The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has welcomed Virgin Atlantic’s decision to resume operations in Ghana starting May 2025.

This will be the 25th airline to operate out of Kotoka International Airport and will have a daily flight schedule on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The return of Virgin Atlantic Airline to operate from Ghana underscores the confidence in Ghana’s aviation industry and significantly boosts efforts to establish Ghana as the preferred aviation hub and leader in airport business in West Africa.

Managing Director of GACL, Mrs Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, expressed excitement and enthusiasm on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff.

“We are thrilled to welcome Virgin Atlantic back to Ghana, which will become the 25th international airline to operate at Kotoka International Airport. We look forward to collaborating with Virgin Atlantic to ensure the seamless launch of their operations and continued facilitation at the airport’’, she said.

Mrs. Opare further stated that with the growing number of Airlines working out of Ghana, it is the decision of the board and management to utilise Terminal 2 of Kotoka International Airport to its optimal level, by having some more of the airlines operate from Terminal 2.

This will decongest Terminal 3, ease long queues and enhance travel for both passengers and airlines.

Details on this will be shared with the general public once stakeholder engagements are completed.

Virgin Atlantic’s return is expected to provide the travelling public with greater connectivity options, connecting passengers from Ghana to various destinations around the world.

Virgin Atlantic was founded by Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. The airline, which is part of the global Skyteam alliance, offers three cabin classes, Upper Class, Premium and Economy, each delivering unique experiences that customers love.

With complimentary food and drink in every cabin, served by the airline’s award-winning cabin crew, alongside over 300 hours of the latest films, TV shows and music, Virgin Atlantic also boasts a fully connected Wi-Fi fleet. Upper Class offers fully flat beds while the onboard social space, offers customers the opportunity to conduct business meetings, catch up with friends and family or simply relax.

Upper Class customers can also enjoy a private security channel at London Heathrow, the world-famous Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and a Revivals lounge for customers to refresh before heading into London.

In 2024, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the eighth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. It’s also rated five star by SkyTrax, the UK organisation which ranks global airlines and airports.

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Atlantic, commented; “The UK is home to the third largest Ghanaian diaspora in the world and we see huge opportunities to connect friends, relatives and businesses with our new service, as well as providing much needed competition and choice on the Accra to London route.

Passengers will also benefit from connections through London to Virgin Atlantic’s extensive US route network, including destinations such as New York, Boston, Washington DC, Miami, and Los Angeles.

Starting on 1st May 2025, the daily flights will be operated using a mix of Airbus A330-300 and A330-900neo aircraft. These planes will feature Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class, Premium, Economy Delight, Classic, and Light cabins, along with an onboard social space. The route is also expected to be a strong cargo corridor, with the airline offering 30 tonnes of capacity per flight for goods such as fresh produce between Ghana and key markets in the UK and US.