British Airways Appoints Kola Olayinka as Commercial Manager for West Africa…Strengthens West African team

British Airways is growing its presence in West Africa and has appointed Kola Olayinka as commercial manager for the region.

Olayinka, who was previously the country manager for Nigeria, will be responsible for the airline's commercial operations in the country as well as Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

It is a growing portfolio. The airline only started flying to Sierra Leone and Liberia just under a year ago and is already planning to increase services from three to four a week later this month.

At the same time, it will increase services to Ghana from seven to 10 a week. From 2014, it will begin operating a Boeing 747-400 on the route, further growing capacity.

This is in addition to the direct daily services it operates to Lagos and Abuja in Nigeria from London.

'West Africa is an important growth market for us and our customers are better served by a commercial team which knows and understands the region and has the autonomy to respond promptly and effectively to local market conditions,' says Gavin Halliday, Area General Manager, Europe and Africa.

'With his extensive experience in the airline industry, the success he has achieved in Nigeria and first-hand knowledge of establishing new routes in Sierra Leone and Liberia, Kola was the obvious choice for the role,' Halliday said.

Olayinka will be based in Lagos and will report directly to the area general manager for Africa and Europe.

Moran Birger has been appointed as the new Country Commercial Manager in Ghana, based in Accra, and will report to Olayinka.

In Nigeria, Adetutu Otuyalo will continue to oversee the company's corporate portfolio while Ademola Sanya will continue looking after all trade-related business. Both will also report to Olayinka.