BEIJING, April 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With the spread of
COVID-19 worldwide, Africa, the continent with the largest
concentration of developing countries, faces severe challenges in
terms of funding and shortages of material and equipment needed for
epidemic prevention and control. HNA Group's Africa World Airlines
(AWA), a Ghana-based domestic
airline, has been actively working with the local government to
combat the outbreak.
At 3 pm GMT on March 29, Africa World Airlines donated
$100,000 to the Ghanaian government
during a ceremony at the presidential palace. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Chief of Staff of the
Republic of Ghana; Togbe Afede,
president of the National House of Chiefs of Ghana; Wang Shiting, Chinese ambassador to
Ghana; Chai Zhijing, commercial
counselor of the Chinese embassy in Ghana; and Luo Cheng, co-chairman of Africa
World Airlines, attended the event.
At the ceremony, Mrs. Osei-Opare, on behalf of President Akufo
Addo, expressed their thanks to Africa World Airlines. She said
that China was the first country
to donate to Ghana and that the
donation served as a demonstration of the sincere friendship
between the two countries and peoples.
The Chinese ambassador, Mr. Wang, said that since its inception,
Africa World Airlines has become the leading airline not only in
Ghana but also throughout western
Africa and that its air services
have not only connected major cities in its home country, but also
significantly improved connectivity throughout the region. He also
spoke highly of the airline's support to Ghana in the fight against the COVID-19
outbreak.
HNA implements the One Belt, One Road initiative by building
an "air bridge" creating connectivity along the route
Since the One Belt, One Road initiative was launched nearly
seven years ago, HNA, a leader in the civil aviation industry, has
been actively engaged in the initiative's implementation. HNA's
airlines now operate nearly 50 routes within the regions targeted
by One Belt, One Road. Through air transport, the group has created
a One Belt, One Road network that plays a key role in achieving the
goals of the initiative. Africa World Airlines is the first air
carrier to receive an investment from a Chinese company on the
African continent. The investment is a breakthrough in terms of
China moving from traditional
investment and serving as contractors in Africa to the continent's aviation service
industry.
In September 2018, speakers at the
Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa
Cooperation once again stressed the need to deepen the
comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Africa, consolidating the impetus in building
a closer Sino-African community.
Over the past seven years, Africa World Airlines has grown into
the largest passenger airline in Ghana, with 98% local
employees and an over 60% market share. The airline has provided
great support to Ghana's efforts
in establishing the country as the region's aviation hub, and has
provided the momentum for the development of a local aviation
market and tourism industry.
HNA leverages its experience to help Africa World Airlines
accelerate development with Chinese programs
HNA has been following a strategy of encouraging Chinese
companies to invest in Africa and
support them when they do, opening international routes that
connect with African countries and establishing its first overseas
airline in the region. Despite the high prices for air
transportation, the low number of passengers, the challenges
brought about by the Ebola virus, losses in the African aviation
industry and the risk of bankruptcy that has plagued most airlines
in the region at one time or another, HNA has backed the African
subsidiary with an investment of more than US$30 million and watched it turn a profit just
two years after inception. By doing so, HNA has created a model for
cooperation between the Chinese and African aviation sectors.
Since its inception 27 years ago, HNA has accumulated extensive
operation and management experience in the aviation industry.
Africa World Airlines is another example of HNA's rich experience
in managing airlines in overseas markets. HNA has leveraged its own
professional aviation management capabilities and rich management
experience in day-to-day operation and safety, and in providing a
level of service that shows a real interest in the passenger's
experience and comfort, helping its African subsidiary grow and
expand.
Based on the local situation, HNA has always taken safety
management as a priority. The airline's proven record in terms of
safety has been a key factor in why charter flight operators have
overwhelmingly chosen to work with its two-year old subsidiary.
Meanwhile, by controlling costs, employing local staff, offering
systematic training, continuously improving service quality, and
fulfilling social responsibilities, Africa World Airlines has
become a preferred choice among local travellers. All these factors
have played in role in the airline being able to turn a profit in
such a short time.
HNA Group has taken many steps in optimizing its own
international operation and safety management, corporate culture,
brand building and cultural integration, to create a model that is
representative of the development of China's civil aviation industry.
Sino-African cooperation in aviation creates an international
brand, extending the industrial chain and boosting Africa's economic
development
Africa World Airlines' growth has had the knock-on effect
of fueling tourism to the degree that it has become the fastest
growing industry in Ghana,
replacing the timber industry as the country's third largest
foreign exchange earner. Ghana has
also shifted its focus from primary industries such as agriculture
and mining to tertiary industries such as tourism and aviation. In
line with the shift, Chinese investors have moved from traditional
plays such a mining and project contracting to service-oriented
ones. The Chinese-invested Africa World Airlines has won a series
of awards including the Best Airline Award from the Ghana Tourism
Authority, the first Safest Airline Award from the Ghana Civil
Aviation Authority, and Africa's
Best Brand from the World Brand Congress.
In order to promote the adoption of its high-tech, value-added
products in Africa and optimize
the structure of its fleet, HNA Group, via Africa World Airlines
and other airlines, will bring China's technologically mature ARJ21 regional
passenger jetliner to Africa to
meet local needs for such aircraft. The move will help create
opportunities for Chinese manufacturers who are looking to become
involved in the civil aviation industry along the One Belt, One
Road route, while providing China-made aircraft with wider access to
international markets.
In time of need, supporting Ghana's fight against
COVID-19
According to a spokesperson for Africa World Airlines, since its
investment in the Ghanaian airline, HNA Group has integrated its
own development roadmap into the national development strategy,
aiming to facilitate the rapid growth of Africa World Airlines with
HNA's advanced aviation management experience. In Ghana, corporate social responsibility is
particularly important. Operating an airline is a long-term
commitment rather than an investment with a short-term exit plan.
As a result, being socially responsible must be a key component of
corporate development. As Africa
now needs to ramp up its efforts in preventing and controlling the
spread of COVID-19, Africa World Airlines needs to focus on its
corporate social responsibility and do its part to help local
governments fight the epidemic.
The COVID-19 outbreak has served to heighten something that HNA
Group has always taken to heart and made part and parcel of its
corporate philosophy: being of service to society and helping
others in a time of need. The Hainan-based global airline strives to support
national diplomacy and local development. The company has to date
transported 97,321 pieces of equipment (1,200+ tons) for use in
COVID-19 prevention, sent 2,877 medical personnel via 24 charter
flights to Hubei, repatriated 713
stranded passengers via 5 charter flights to Hubei, and transported 60 tons of medical
supplies in the first freight charter to Hungary in support of the international fight
against the epidemic. The various efforts involved an investment of
nearly 70 million yuan, demonstrating
the social responsibility of the Chinese carrier.
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SOURCE HNA Tourism Group