A new airline is set to make history as the very first wholly-owned Ghanaian private entity to operate international flights from next month. Eagle Atlantic Airlines has been licensed to operate both domestic and international flights as well as cargo. It is however beginning commercial operations with flights from Ghana to 4 other West African countries including Liberia, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal and Sierra Leone. The maiden flight from Accra to Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire is scheduled for October 21. Speaking exclusively to Joy Business on their mission, the Managing Director, Dr. Emmanuel Osei Acheampong noted their focus is not too much on competition as opposed boosting trade in the sub region. “In every business you look at where the need is. Ghana Airways used to connect the West African country but is unfortunately no more and no body has stepped out to do it. But in order for ECOWAS to prosper then the business people must be able to move from country to country – which is what has made the EU the community that they are" he noted. "So that the business people can travel from here to any of the West African countries and come back the same day or they can go there and do a 2 or 3 day business and be sure they would come back same day. They don’t have to go some European country before they connect back to West Africa – which has been the biggest problem” he explained. Eagle Atlantic Airlines which was registered in 2007 but fully licensed this year is starting operations with two 147 seater MD 82 air-crafts which also bear the country’s flag. It has for now scheduled to fly 5 days a week. Dr. Osei-Acheampong also emphasized they bring onto the market, more flight convenience and effective connectivity among ECOWAS countries at more affordable prices. “We’re coming from the point of view that all the West African countries are going to be opened up at the same time in the same day. As things stand now, if any company wants to go to 2 or 3 countries in West Africa, they cannot do because if any airline wants to take you, you’re going to up there and wait for hours before they connect you to that country. By the time you finish your transit time, we would have taken you to all West African countries already and you would have done your business – your productivity already increasing" he added. "What we guarantee you is that if you want to go to these countries a day, Eagle Atlantic is the only airline that can do it without you sitting in another country and eating your life away. Also your comfort is guaranteed as we have removed seats from the economy class to make room for legroom comfort seating and our prices are also the lowest in town” he concluded.