Recently unveiled as one of the flagship projects of the new administration in Ghana, the plan to establish a national airline is making fresh progress, with the search for a technical partner now underway.
Ghana’s Ministry of Transport has revealed that it is in advanced discussions with Spain’s West Atlantic Group (WAG) regarding the national airline project. While details of the negotiations remain undisclosed, the talks follow President John Dramani Mahama’s announcement nearly a month ago about the government’s intent to secure a technical partner.
According to President Mahama, the main objective of creating the new carrier is to help lower airfares on routes dominated by foreign airlines. The airline is also expected to serve as a strategic tool to boost the country’s economic growth and enhance regional connectivity.
Previous attempts to launch a national airline in Ghana were unsuccessful. In 2022, a consortium led by Ashanti Airlines was selected to lead the initiative. At the time, ticket sales were projected to begin in May 2023, with the inaugural flight expected in June or July of that year. Before the failed partnership with Ashanti Airlines, the government had also approached Ethiopian Airlines in December 2018, and later EgyptAir, to bring the project to fruition.
Beyond reducing costs and curbing the dominance of foreign carriers, the new airline is intended to support the Ghanaian government’s broader aviation sector policies. These include the development of infrastructure, the creation of maintenance hubs, and the training of specialized personnel to build a robust aviation value chain.
Source: Agence Ecofin
