Rab’s World

As I look at my counter to the right; The 26th version of the African Cup of Nations; the football championship of the African Continent sponsored by MTN Wireless is approaching with anxiety for many.

Now, you must understand that Delta has a lock on direct flights from the USA to Accra. Flights to Accra, Ghana make Delta the only major U.S. carrier to serve Africa nonstop from New York. They hit Accra 4 times a week with it’s Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. Of course this comes at a premium. You would think that it would cost more to travel with a European-based carrier such as British Airways; KLM or Lufthansa. Especially when you factor in that at this date; it takes $1.48 USD to buy one EURO (€)! This perception is wrong though. Have you ever heard the rhetorical phrase: “Time is Money, and Money is Time? The long transfer times in Europe can be pure torture especially if you do not have someone to visit or something to do outside of the airport. Delta Airlines know this so they do what any sensible business would do. They jack up the price! You (the airline passenger) pay ‘extra’ to enjoy a 10 hour direct flight into the West African gateway.

I must note that there is another airline based in North America that flies to Accra. North American Airlines fly once a week to Accra from JFK - New York City with a Boeing 767. There prices are always lower than Delta. You lose the flexibility of a travel date because you are locked into ONE particular day for departure out of JFK. There is an option to depart from another American Metro area airport (BWI). This airport is located near the Baltimore - Washington D.C. area. But… flights are only on the same day as the JFK flight!For years many people have complained quietly about the exhorborant airline ticket prices for one to travel from North America to West Africa. I mean..come on on! It costs less to go to an even farther part of Africa (Cairo, Egypt). The last time I’m checked my geography; the distance from NYC to Cairo was far more kilometers than NYC to Accra! The price that I pay to go to Accra will get me a nice flight + some hotel days in a Southern Asian country. What are we to do? For starters; African companies (notice I did not say ‘African governments’!) need to create viable airline businesses to increase the competition for the passenger outside the continent. This will force the European carriers and the one major US carrier to ‘bow down’ and reduce..reduce!

I will not disclose how much I paid for the ticket..but I need to be there before the opening match which I dubbed’ Pan-Africanism’ revisited! This match takes place on Sunday, January 20th @ the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra.