As
part of efforts to explore new markets and increase arrival numbers, TAP Air
Portugal, a Portuguese carrier on Sunday made it inaugural landing at the
Banjul International Airport, with 141 tourists onboard.
The
arrival of the airbus A320, marks the beginning of TAP Air Portugal regular
operations offering flights thrice a week departing from Lisbon to Banjul.
Adama
Njie, Gambia Tourism Board Director of Marketing with other officials of the
ground handler – Gambia Tours and airport service personnel received and
welcomed the new airline and its official at the inaugural ceremony held in the
BIA VIP Lounge at the airport premises.
TAP
Airline Portugal flights between Lisbon and Banjul are operated by Airbus A320
and depart from Lisbon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 20:55 and arrive
in Banjul at 00:10 the next day, from where they depart at 1:05 – Wednesday,
Fridays and Sundays to land at Humberto Delgado Airport at 6:05 (local time).
Dionisio Barum,
Portugal and Africa Director of sales disclosed that the beach, nature and
adventure are Banjul’s hallmarks that give the African city a true color panel.
He
said the colorful and lively markets contrast with the white sand of the
beaches and the lush green nature that characterizes Banjul on a cruise across
the Gambia River, where one can see hippos, monkeys and more than 500 bird
species. “TAP will once again expand its operation to Africa, one more country
and one capital to its network of destinations on the African continent.”
Adama
Njie, Director of Marketing – Gambia Tourism Board expressed delight on the
arrival of the TAP Air, describing the inaugural flight as historic. “It means
a lot to not just only the stakeholders but the country as a whole.”
According
to him, Air Portugal is among the big airlines in the world and TAP air is
flying from Lisbon to many African countries. “They will be coming three times
a week to the Smiling Coast and that will add to the frequency that we already
established last year,” he said.
He
assured TAP Air of government’s support saying there is a strong relationship
with the GTBoard and TAP Air Portuguese.
About
TAP Air Portugal
TAP
flies in Africa to Morocco – Marrakech, Casablanca, Tangier and Fez; Cape Verde
– Sal, Praia, S. Vincente and Boavista; Senegal – Dakar; Guinea Bissau –
Bissau; Ivory Coast – Abidjan; Togo – Lome; Ghana – Accra; Sao Tome and Principe
– Sao Tome; Angola – Luanda; Mozambique – Maputo; Conakry – Guinea Conakry and
now Gambia – Banjul; a total of 12 countries and 18 cities.
