Africa World Airlines (AWA) has clarified recent media reports concerning its flight AW160 which travelled from Accra to Tamale on March 13th, 2024.
Some media outlets had claimed that the aircraft in question carried additional fuel in its baggage compartment.
However, in a press release signed by Captain Kwasi Oteng, Chief Operating Officer of AWA, the company refuted the allegations.
Below is AWA’s full account of what happened:
AFRICA WORLD AIRLINES FLIGHT AW160 TO TAMALE 13TH MARCH 2024
Recent media reports regarding Africa World Airlines flight to Tamale, incorrectly published facts that are contrary to the events of that day and to aviation safety compliance. Safety, regulatory compliance and on-time performance prioritize our operational procedures in order to offer the best possible choice and experience to our customers.
On the 12th of March 2024 during the preparation for flight AW160 from Accra to Tamale which departs at 06:30 a.m. the Flight Operations Control office was contacted by our fuel supplier in Tamale to inform us that the fuel bowser used for refuelling aircraft, was under maintenance and would not be available for refuelling that day.
In order to cater for this, additional fuel was planned for and uplifted IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS to be used for the return trip AW161 from Tamale to Accra. Flight AW160 to Tamale was a full flight, and the aircraft would have departed close to its maximum take-off weight even without the additional fuel. Once the decision was made to uplift extra fuel, an equivalent weight in passenger baggage was offloaded from flight AW160 to be sent to Tamale on subsequent flights that day. This was necessary to ensure the aircraft safely operated within the manufacturer’s operating limitations. All bags were delivered to the passengers at their final destination. Some passengers whose final destination was beyond Tamale did not receive their bags until the next day due to the journey time by road.
Africa World Airlines regrets the inconvenience to those passengers whose travel experience was disrupted by this event and we assure all, that while such supplier irregularities at short notice are common in the aviation industry, every effort is made to maintain the highest possible safety standard in compliance with aircraft operating procedures and regulatory directives which prohibit the carriage of fuel in baggage compartments.
More regrettable is the fact that myjoyonline and Joy midday news did not find it prudent to conduct due diligence on such a ridiculously unbelievable claim by a passenger that the additional fuel was carried in the baggage compartment, before going to press. Such statements can be defamatory and libellous to the airline and should be verified prior to publishing them. We note that such poor standards of journalism should not be part of the editorial conduct of such a reputable institution.
Captain Kwasi Oteng
Chief Operating Officer
Africa World Airlines
