Punto Azal lays out its plans for flight launches

Equatorial Guinea's newest airline, Punto Azul, formally launched its flight operations at a colourful ceremony held at the Sipopo – Sofitel Hotel, Malabo today.
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Addressing the guests during the well-attended launch, the newly appointed Punto Azul managing director,  Paul Richards, said the airline is commited to ensuring safe and timely operations while growing both the domestic and regional connectivity for passengers.
“This is a proud moment for everyone at Punto Azul as we announce the formal launch of operations,” Richards said. “Bata becomes our first domestic destination and we are launching with three daily frequencies with the option of a fourth frequency. We are certain to add more frequencies and destinations for the domestic market based on demand and the opening up of more serviceable airports. It is our promise to you that safety, quality and reliability will form the corner stone of our operations going forward”, he said.
All Punto Azul flights will be operated on 48-seat Embraer Jet 145 offering single cabin configuration. The airline has recently taken delivery of three of these jets and has an agreement with National Airways Corporation (NAC) of South Africa as the operator while it works towards obtaining its own AOC. 
During his speech, Richards further announced the commencement of flights to Sao Tome and Principe, making this the first regional destination for the airline. “Come June 21, 2013 we will take our inaugural flight from Malabo to Sao Tome. We will fly twice in a week starting with a Friday outbound fight and a Monday inbound option. We can affirm to you our commitment to connecting Malabo with key regional business and leisure destinations”, added Richards.
Though not formally announced yet, Punto Azul is expected to launch flights to Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon among other key Central and West African destinations. The airline also expects to utilise spare capacity by establishing and running a charter operation apart from the scheduled flights.
 
 Punto Azul managing director Paul Richards - at today's operations launch