Ghana’s new national airline may be a reality in 2023. The Ghanaian government revealed that it had selected the name ‘Ghana Airlines’ for the new flag carrier.
The new name was announced by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta during the presentation of the 2023 budget to the Ghana Parliament. Ofori-Atta also stated that the african country he expects the airline to be operational in 2023.
The new flag carrier is in the final stages of acquiring an Air Operator Certificate (AOC). Ashanti Airlines will back GhanaAirlines. The Ghanaian government has selected Ashanti Airlines as a strategic investor. The company will help establish the new national carrier after outbidding other bidders including EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines and financial firm JNH Group.
The establishment of GhanaAirlines will end the 12-year absence of a national airline in Ghana. This follows the collapse of the former national airlines Ghana Airways in 2004 and Ghana International Airlines in 2010.
The new national airline will admit short, medium and long haul routes. It will have a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners and De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft.
National and regional routes
The airline expects to offer domestic and regional services within Ghana and Africa with a fleet of up to six Dash 8-400 aircraft.
Ghana’s Aviation Minister Joseph Kofi Adda revealed that the airline would be based in accraGhana and would operate routes to West Africa and future routes to destinations in Europe, North America and Asia.
“There is a growing demand for air travel to and from Ghana and we believe the advanced 787-9 Dreamliner provides us with an efficient and flexible machine to launch a regional network and eventually serve international destinations in the future,” Adda said.
A fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners will serve its long-haul routes. They will operate a provisional order for three Boeing Dreamliners. The Ghanaian government signed the agreement during the Dubai Airshow 2019.
