About
Richard Kyereh
MBA, PMP
Richard Kyereh exemplifies everything good about the business side of aviation.
Richard Kyereh is an aviation expert, aircraft broker, and aero-politics specialist based in Ghana, with 20 years of senior leadership experience across Africa's airline industry. A certified project manager, he brings deep expertise in commercial airline strategy, network development, and aviation consulting for West Africa's fast-growing travel market and Africa at large.
He is well-placed to coach, mentor, and guide young people with a passion for aviation or anyone simply wondering whether the aviation industry holds any promise for the degree they earned in school.
Airline Leadership Experience
Richard has led commercial teams at Africa World Airlines, Antrak Air, Westair Aviation, and Turkish Airlines. He has also served as Brand Ambassador for major aviation brands across Africa, including Hitit CS, the third-largest passenger service system in the world.
He currently sits within the Corporate Sales and Marketing team at Turkish Airlines, while also serving as Country Manager, Ghana for Westair Aviation. For five years, he served as Head of Commercial at Africa World Airlines (AWA), joining in December 2015 as Deputy Head of Commercial. Before that, he spent eight years at Antrak Air, starting as a Project/Safety Officer in 2007 and rising to Head of Commercial by 2015.
Aviation Consulting Expertise
Across these roles, Richard has built a deep repertoire of airline business functions, including:
- Network Development and Route launches
- Hub Operations
- Project Management
- Sales & Marketing Strategy
- Interline Agreements
- Aero-politics and Industry Diplomacy
His firm grasp of the African travel market is a rare asset; knowledge that has proven invaluable in growing airlines from startups into regional players.
Route Development & Network Growth in Ghana and West Africa
While at Africa World Airlines, Richard spearheaded the growth of the regional network from a single route in 2016 to five destinations across four African cities. That's Lagos, Abuja, Monrovia, Freetown, and Abidjan - alongside expansion of key domestic Ghana routes: Kumasi-Tamale direct, Takoradi, and Wa.
Leading a team of dedicated AWA staff, he grew the once-struggling Accra-Lagos-Accra route from 3 weekly flights to 35 weekly flights within 18 months. He diversified distribution channels and maximized revenue by championing GDS implementation, securing eight airline partners for SPA and IET agreements, and leading successful membership applications to IATA, ICH, and MITA.
Industry Roles & Affiliations
- Advisory Board Member, Aviation Development (AviaDev) Africa (2020-2021)
- African Representative, Lombok Institute of Flight Technology (LIFT), Indonesia
- Executive Director, Centre for Aviation Policy & Development, Africa (CAPD-Africa)
- CEO, iCount Aerospace Limited
A Legacy of Industry Innovation
Richard's most notable contribution to Ghana's aviation industry is the introduction of Passenger Re-Protection Agreements among competing airlines. A framework that reduced operational losses during downtime and remains in use today. He is a regular guest speaker and panelist at aviation conferences across the continent speaking on commercial strategy.
Education & Certifications
- Three IATA Diplomas: Airline Management, Airline Revenue Accounting and Controls, and Airline Business Development
- MBA in Project Management from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)
- Alumnus, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
- Certified member, Project Management Institute (PMI), USA
- Flight Dispatch Certification from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority
Experience
20+ years
Across airlines, regulators, and investment firms across West Africa and beyond.
Expertise
Full spectrum
From network development and route launches to safety management and aero politics.
Impact
35x weekly
Grew Accra-Lagos route from 3x weekly to 35x weekly in 18 months and introduced Passenger Re-Protection Agreements.