New West African flight route set to boost trade between Ghana, Burkina Faso

The inaugural flight landed on July 1, 2025, at Ouagadougou International Airport and was preceded by a ceremony in Accra.

Reports read that the Airline will operate three flights weekly, supporting the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) by facilitating smoother movement of people, goods, and services across borders. Ticket prices for the route start at $290, according to the airline.

Togbe Afede XIV, co-Chairman of Africa World Airlines (AWA) and Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to African integration through reliable and safe aviation services.

“Our safety record is great. Our reliability is great, and that’s the kind of tradition we expect to continue the service we want to offer our friends from Burkina Faso,” he said.

Togbe Afede also linked the new route to a broader vision of reconnecting the Sahel region with the rest of the continent.

“Hopefully, through them, we’ll link all of the Sahel to the rest of Africa, in line with President John Mahama’s vision of bringing Burkina Faso and Niger back into the fold.”

Addressing public concern over high airfares, he noted that while the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi could eventually lead to lower prices, the impact would take time due to legacy costs.

“Yes, prices will go down, but it takes time. Many of our costs were based on the old exchange rate, and we continue to meet obligations priced at those earlier levels. But I want to assure our customers that AWA is committed to value, service, and most importantly, safety,” he said.

From Burkina Faso, Karim Tapsoba, speaking on behalf of the Director General of Civil Aviation, hailed the new route as a critical development in West African air transport.

“It marks an important stage in the development of air transport in our sub-region. I am convinced that AWA will contribute to enhancing our aviation network and strengthening economic and tourism ties between the two countries.”

The launch comes amid broader regional integration efforts, including AfCFTA and ECOWAS initiatives. Earlier this year, Ghana’s President John Mahama hosted leaders from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in Accra for ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary.

In March, Mahama also made his first official visit to Mali, meeting with General Assimi Goïta, Mali’s transitional president and current chairman of the Confederation of Sahel States (CSS).

With the launch of the Accra–Ouagadougou route, AWA joins a small group of carriers offering regular commercial flights between the two countries, opening new channels for trade, tourism, and diplomatic relations across West Africa.