According to AviationGhana, Ghana is getting closer to launching a new national carrier as the government prepares to unveil the identity of its new partner towards the end of July 2022.
Ghana’s airspace was left vacant following the demise of former national airlines Ghana Airways in 2004 and Ghana International Airlines six years later in 2010. However, after a 12-year wait, a new airline is finally on the way.
As the launch date approaches, the Ghanaian government will pick a partner.
According to AviationGhana, four businesses have been identified as possible bidders in the continuing quest to establish a new Ghanaian flag carrier: Ashanti Airlines, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines (EA), and financial firm JNH Group.
Local business magnates Osei Kwame Despite, co-founder of the Despite Group of Companies, and his partner, Ernest Ofori Sarpong, run Ghana-based Ashanti Airlines. EgyptAir, the country’s state-owned flag carrier, is based at Cairo International Airport. Ethiopian Airlines is an East African airline and aviation business based in Addis Ababa, while JNH Group is a Ghanaian management consultancy and brokerage firm.
A committee appointed by Ghana’s Minister of Transport, Kweku Ofori Asiamah, is in charge of overseeing the selection process for the new partner.
According to AviationGhana, Ashanti Airlines is “likely” to get the contract.
As it nears completion of the licenses required by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Ashanti Airlines is ready to begin operations in Ghana (GCAA). The airline has previously obtained an Air Carrier License (ACL) and is nearing completion of the process of obtaining an Air Operator Certificate (AOC).