Find out everything you need to know about our current flights, COVID-19 test and travel requirements and how we’re keeping you safe.
(Updated Sunday, May 2nd, 2021; 11:21am)
#FlySafeFlyConfident
COVID-19 information hub
EFFECTIVE 8TH FEBRUARY 2021 AT 1800 HOURS
REVISION 5: EFFECTIVE DATE: 8TH FEBRUARY 2021 AT 1800 HOURS (UTC)
1. Arriving Passengers
All international arriving passengers, including those from the ECOWAS region, will be required to meet the following health requirements prior to admission into Ghana:
a) Passengers must not have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 including body temperature >38°C.
b) Passengers must possess a COVID-19 negative PCR test from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin. The test should have been done not more than 72 hours before the scheduled departure time from the country of origin.
c) Airlines who board passengers without PCR test result or transport and disembark passengers with Positive PCR test result into Accra will be fined US$3,500 per passenger.
o Non-Ghanaians may be refused entry and returned to the point of embarkation at a cost to the Airline.
o Ghanaians will be allowed entry but subject to 14 days of mandatory quarantine at a designated facility.
d) Arriving passengers will undergo temperature screening.
e) Ghanaian residents who depart Ghana and return within one (1) week will not be required to present a COVID-19 result from the country of departure. They will,
however, undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing upon arrival in Ghana.
f) Passengers will be subjected to a mandatory COVID-19 test at the airport terminal at a cost to be borne by the passenger as indicated below:
• Ghanaians and Ecowas Citizens – $50
• All Other Passengers – $150
Payment MUST be made online at https://myfrontierhealthcare.com/Home/Ghana and proof of payment (receipt) shown to Airline before boarding.
g) Airlines who board passengers without proof of payment for the COVID-19 test and would/could NOT pay for the test in Ghana, will be fined US$3,500 per passenger.
o Non-Ghanaian passengers may be refused entry and returned to the point of embarkation at a cost to the Airline.
o Ghanaian passengers will have their passports seized; the passenger handed over to State Security Agencies and taken into a fourteen (14) day quarantine at a
designated location at the passenger’s cost.
h) All arriving passengers who test positive for COVID-19 will undergo mandatory isolation and treatment at a designated health facility or isolation centre, at a cost to passengers, EXCEPT Ghanaian citizens. The isolation will be for a period of seven (7) days. However, the final discharge of cases will be based on existing case management guidelines and protocols.
i) All passengers who test negative for COVID-19 will be required to continuously adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols and will receive regular information on COVID-19 within five (5) days of arrival in Ghana.
j) Passengers who test negative will be advised to continue to observe COVID-19 safety precautions following arrival in Ghana.
k) For passengers who transit through other countries before arriving in Ghana, the first country of departure will be the reference point. (Connecting flights should not deny passenger boarding, as long as the journey has not been terminated in any of the transit countries.)
2. Transit Passengers
a) Passengers transiting and transferring through Accra will not be required to take the COVID-19 test in Accra.
b) Transit passengers will be required to adhere to COVID-19 testing requirements for the destination countries.
3. Exemptions
a) Airline crew are exempted from the pre-departure and arrival COVID-19 testing and should follow the Airline policy for testing.
b) Children under 5 years of age will not be required to undergo testing on Arrival at the Kotoka International Airport.
c) Passengers who arrive under emergency circumstances such as diverted flights will not be required to undergo testing if they do not leave the airport or remain in isolation in their hotel.
d) Children between the ages of 5-12 years will be required to pay for testing at the new rates (refer to no.1f).
Passengers must wear face mask appropriately (extending from the middle nasal bridge to halfway between the chin and the neck) and are advised to regularly use any of the hand sanitizing stations provided in the terminal.
4. Travelling with Pets
a) Travelling with pets into Ghana is allowed in line with guidelines of the Veterinary Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food & Agriculture
5. Departing Passengers
All international departing passengers will be required to meet the following guidelines prior to departure:
a) Passengers will be required to adhere to COVID-19 testing requirements for the destination countries
b) Departing passengers will undergo temperature screening at the entrance of Terminal 3 departures
c) Only passengers and persons with business in the terminal will be allowed entry
d) Online check-in or the use of self-service kiosks is strongly encouraged to reduce physical contact at the airport
e) Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least 4 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Passengers must wear face mask appropriately (extending from the middle nasal bridge to halfway between the chin and the neck) and are advised to regularly use any of the hand sanitizing stations provided in the terminal.
21st October 2020
Due to the extension of curfew in Lagos state, all AWA flights to/from Lagos are cancelled until Saturday 24OCT20. Our flights to Abuja continue normally at this time. Passengers booked to/from Lagos may rebook on Abuja flights or to a future date at no extra charge.
7th September 2020 (updated 6th October)
Africa World Airlines is delighted to announce the resumption of our international flight routes. We will commence operations on each route as per the following schedule :
Accra – Lagos – Accra starts Fri 11SEP20
Accra – Abuja – Accra starts Sat 12SEP20
Accra – Freetown – Monrovia – Accra starts Sun 13SEP20
Accra – Abidjan – Accra starts Tue 15SEP20
Please note the following specific protocols applicable for ALL international flights operated by Africa World Airlines. This is in addition to the individual protocols required by each destination country.
1. Passengers must wear a face mask at all times while in the airport and on board the aircraft
2. Passengers will be subject to screening for COVID-19 symptoms prior to boarding, including thermal screening
3. Passengers must be in possession of a negative PCR test result report taken within the 72 hours prior to scheduled departure of the first flight (electronic or hard copy format is acceptable – but it must clearly provide the identity of the person tested)
4. Hand luggage is strictly limited to one piece weighing no more than 5 kgs
5. Passengers should be in possession of personal hand sanitizer in containers not to exceed 100ml
6. No external food or drink may be brought on board or consumed on board
NOTE: Passengers are encouraged NOT to wear external body gowns or other similar PPE on board the aircraft. If they choose to do so, they must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the airline staff that this was not previously used in a contaminated area (viz. fresh PPE must be donned at the airport).
GHANA (Accra)
1. Passengers must be in possession of a negative PCR test taken within the 72 hours prior to scheduled departure of the first flight
2. Arriving passengers must complete a Health Declaration Form online at https://www.ghs-hdf.org/hdf/
3. Passengers MUST pay in advance for a COVID-19 rapid test to be conducted on arrival in Accra. Payment can be made using cards via https://myfrontierhealthcare.com/Home/Ghana and the cost is US$150/GHS 856 / GBP 120 / EUR 140.
4. Upon receipt of a negative result (test results take approx. 30-45 minutes to be received), passengers may proceed through immigration.
More details at: http://www.gcaa.com.gh/web/protocols.html
List of accredited laboratories in Ghana at: https://www.ghanahealthservice.org/covid19/accredited_labs.php
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NIGERIA (Lagos and Abuja) (Updated 2nd May 2021; 11:21am)
The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, after due consideration has therefore approved the implementation of the following measures:
(i) Reduction of the validity period of pre-boarding COVID-19 PCR test for all Nigeria-bound passengers from 96hrs to 72 hours. Henceforth PCR test results older than 72hours before departure shall not be accepted;
(ii) Guidelines Specific to Brazil, India and Turkey
- Any person who has visited Brazil, India or Turkey within Fourteen (14) days preceding travel to Nigeria, shall be denied entry into Nigeria. This regulation, however, does not apply to passengers who transited through these countries.
- The following measures shall apply to airlines and passengers who fail to comply with I and II(a) above:
- Airlines shall mandatorily pay a penalty of $3,500 (Three Thousand Five Hundred dollars) for each defaulting passenger.
- Non-Nigerians will be denied entry and returned to the country of embarkation at cost to the Airline.
- Nigerians and those with permanent resident permit shall undergo seven (7) days of mandatory quarantine in a Government approved facility at the point-of-entry city and at cost to the passenger. The following condition shall apply to such passengers:
- Within 24 hours of arrival shall take a COVID-19 PCR test
- If positive, the passenger shall be admitted within a government-approved treatment centre, in line with National treatment protocols.
iii. If Negative, the Passenger shall continue to remain in quarantine and made to undergo a repeat PCR test on day 7 of their quarantine.
(iii) Passenger(s) arriving in Nigeria from other destinations
- Must observe a 7-day self-isolation at their final destination.
- Carry out a COVID-19 PCR test on day 7 at selected laboratory.
- Shall be monitored for compliance to isolation protocol by appropriate authorities.
(iv) False declaration
- Passenger(s) who provided false or misleading contact information will be liable to prosecution.
- Person(s) who willfully disregard or refuse to comply with directions of Port-Health staff, security agencies or evade quarantine shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
(v) State Governments are required to ensure that all returning travelers from ALL countries are monitored to ensure adherence to the mandatory seven-day self-isolation period and the repeat COVID-19 PCR test on the seventh day after arrival.
(vi) We urge members of the public to adhere to all COVID-19 preventive measures in place including adherence to the national travel protocol, proper use of face mask, regular handwashing and physical distancing.
This travel advisory shall come into effect from TUESDAY 4TH day of May 2021. The guidelines provided in this document shall be subject to review after an initial period of 4 weeks.
1. Passengers should complete the health form at https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng/ where they will also upload the results of their PCR test, and pay online for a repeat PCR test to be taken upon arrival in Nigeria. Passengers will then receive a QR Code generated by the above portal. Failure to complete this step may result in significant delays on arrival in Nigeria, but will not preclude travel.
2. Passengers departing FROM Nigeria should obtain a negative PCR test result from an approved laboratory no more than 72 hours prior to departure of the first flight.
Following the launch of the COVID – 19 PCR test verification platform, the Presidential task force (PTF) has directed that, ONLY results from accredited private Laboratories should be accepted from outbound passengers as from, Monday, 22nd March 2021. A list of approved labs can be found at https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/privatelabs/
3. All pax arriving into Nigeria to upload their PCR Negative Test result on the Travel Portal (https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng/
4. Children under 10 years are exempted from PCR tests and post-arrival PCR tests.
5. Diplomats are exempted from the Post Arrival PCR Test but are not exempted from uploading their Pre-departure PCR Negative test result on the portal.
6. Pax originating from UK and SA MUST upload their PCR Negative Test result of 96 hours validity. Must Pay for their post-arrival PCR Test online and obtain a travel permit before embarking. This includes transit pax originating from UK and SA unto any AWA flight to Nigeria.
NOTE: Effective from 29SEP20 until 15OCT20, no excess baggage will be accepted between Accra and Lagos or vice-versa
More details at: https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng/
New Protocol (11th January 2021): COVID-19 RESPONSE: PROVISIONAL QUARANTINE PROTOCOL FOR TRAVELLERS ARRIVING IN NIGERIA. Click the link to access all the information COVID19 Provisional Quarantine Protocol for_Air Travel_10 01 21_Ako
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SIERRA LEONE (Freetown) (updated 4th March, 2021 2:24pm)
COVID-19 Pandemic Public Health requirements for Lungi Freetown International Airport (Effective 19th January, Valid until 31st March 2021)
Introduction
Lungi international airport opened to all commercial airlines passenger are required to adhere to the following requirements:
Arriving Passengers
1. All Passengers have to wear masks during any time at the airport and onboard
2. All Passengers shall produce a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test result issued no later than seven (7) days to date of travel.
3. At the check-in desk at the airport of embarkation, passengers are required to display travelers’ authorization to Sierra Leone, received through the government of Sierra Leone travel portal (www.travel.gov.sl). The travel Authorization.
Consists of:
– Negative PCR COVID-19 test result issued no longer seven (7) days before departure
– Pre-departure public health Passenger locator form
– Proof of payment for COVID-19 testing on arrival, paid through the online platform
4. All Passengers shall be subjected to a mandatory COVID-19 test upon arrival:- passengers will simultaneously have a PCR test swab and an RDT test on arrival -If the RDT screening is negative, Passengers are allowed to depart from the airport and observe public protocols (mandatory proper mask wearing, Hand washing, and physical distancing) while awaiting their PCR test result.
– If the RDT screening if positive, passengers will be isolated at a hotel in Lungi while awaiting their PCR test result. Note, the cost of the accommodation at the hotel shall be borne by the passenger.
– For all test result, the PCR result supersedes the RDT result
– PCR result will be disseminated via the local contact number confirmed by the passenger on arrival
– All children under five (05) years shall be exempted from pre-departure and arrival PCR test requirements
5. Passport of all inbound passengers shall be withheld at the Lungi international airport by the immigrations department until a negative COVID-19 PCR certificate is issued.
6. Airline crew are exempted from the pre-departure and arrival PCR test requirements and should follow airline policy for testing. Airline crew must adhere to public health protocols.
Departing Passengers
1. All passenger have to wear mask during anytime at the airport and onboard
2. All passengers are subjected to a mandatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test with a negative result issued no longer than 72 hours before departure at the Freetown international airport. Cost for this test will be borne by the passenger.
– Passenger will used the Government of Sierra Leone travel portal to request their pre-departure test, to pay for the test, and for the scheduling sample collection.
– Passenger with negative PCR result will receive e-Confirmation and certificates ahead of travel. Physical copies can be collected at the airport at a designated desk.
-Passenger with positive PCR result will not be permitted to travel and must follow public health protocols for isolation and contact tracing. They will be re-tested after seven days.
– Passengers whose stay in the country will not exceed five (5) days do not require to be tested before leaving the country. However, they are required to request for a certificate of the negative PCR test result that was administered to them when they arrived in Sierra Leone.
– All children under five (5) years shall be exempted from PCR test requirements.
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This is to inform that COVID-19 screening of inbound passengers has been revised. Effective January 1, 2021, passports of ALL inbound passengers SHALL
be withheld at the Lungi International Airport by the Immigrations Department until a negative COVID-19 PCR certificate is issued.
Sierra Leone has witnessed increased volumes of airline passengers particularly for the past three weeks, and disappointingly, some of them are deliberately providing false information on health locator forms, which makes it practically difficult or impossible for Surveillance teams to track positive cases. As we continue to address community transmission, the Response is deeply concerned about reports of a variant coronavirus in some parts of the world, with significantly higher levels of transmissibility (and probably a deadlier mutant).
This measure, it is hoped, will help keep cases within the raider of surveillance, thus preventing the unwarranted spread of the virus in communities.
Immigrations Department will continue to be in safe custody of the passports, and ensure collection by the rightful holders (or their authorized proxies) at NaCOVERC, Kingtom, Freetown or the Immigration offices in Makeni, Bo and Kenema.
1. Passengers must be in possession of a negative PCR test taken within the 72 hours prior to scheduled departure of the first flight. The results must be no more than 7 days old upon arrival in Freetown.
2. Passengers must complete the health form at https://travel.gov.sl/ and obtain a confirmation email authorizing travel, or else they will not be permitted to board the flight
3. Passengers will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival at Lungi Airport at a cost of US$80
4. Passengers departing FROM Freetown must also complete the health form from https://travel.gov.sl/ designed for departing passengers and obtain a negative PCR test result. Those whose stay in Freetown has been less than 5 days may use the test provided on arrival in lieu of a new test.
More details at: https://travel.gov.sl/
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COTE D’IVOIRE (Abidjan)
1. Passengers must be in possession of a negative PCR test taken within the 72 hours prior to scheduled departure of the first flight.
All passengers coming to and from Abidjan MUST go online and fill in this form: https://declaration.
Accra – Abidjan – Accra starts Thu 17SEP20
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LIBERIA (Monrovia)
1. Passengers must be in possession of a negative PCR test taken within the 72 hours prior to scheduled departure of the first flight
2. Arriving passengers will be required to register for monitoring via USSD and Mobile App
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New Mandate
All Travelers to ECOWAS nations are to pay $50 instead of $75
(Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote D’ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Cape verde, Gambia, Guinea, Niger, Senegal and Togo)
More details at: https://web.facebook.com/pg/LiberiaLAA/
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30th July 2020
In line with the directives of HE The President, Africa World Airlines Limited domestic flights will return to full capacity with effect from 01AUG20. Our enhanced sanitary protocols remain in effect and exceed International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards. These include mandatory mask usage and hand sanitisation, no-contact check-in and boarding, disinfection of the aircraft after each flight, and spraying of all checked-in baggage. You will also never be stuck in a middle seat between two other passengers due to the layout of our modern Embraer ERJ-145 jets!
27th July 2020
Africa World Airlines is pleased to announce increased services between Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi effective from 01AUG20. Choose from multiple daily flights each to Kumasi or Tamale with departures now starting as early as 8am, as well as 4 weekly flights to Takoradi. Convenient connections via Accra are also available between all city pairs.
