McDan ordered to suspend private jet operations at KIA

McDan ordered to suspend use of KIA's Terminal 1 for private jet operations

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Business News Feb - 01 - 2022 , 18:38

The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has ordered McDan Aviation to suspend the Private Jet lounge operations at Terminal 1 of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

In a letter dated January 31, 2022, signed by the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Mr Yaw Kwakwa, an earlier notice to McDan to suspend its inauguration of the Private Jet lounge at Terminal 1 last Friday was referenced.

"We refer to our earlier discussions and subsequent directive to suspend the inauguration of the Private Jet Terminal at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) until all the necessary operational requirements and obligations are met", the letter stated.

"We note with concern, your failure to comply with the directive despite the outstanding issues on the prior terms and conditions for the use and operations of Terminal 1 as a Private Jet Terminal," it added.

"Management has consequently directed the suspension of your use of Terminal 1 until further notice. You are kindly requested to relinquish the keys to enable Management undertake a Joint Inventory by close of business day, Monday, 31st January 2022.

The letter was copied to the Secretary to the President, Jubilee House; Secretary to the Vice President, Jubilee House; Minister of Transport, Minister of National Security, National Security Coordinator at KIA; Board Chairman of GACL and the Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

Why the suspension?

The GACL has accused McDan Aviation of breaching the laid down procedure after procuring its license to operate in 2019.

It said it has noticed with concern McDan's disregard for the norms of doing business in the aviation sector which requires strict adherence to safety and security rules.

"Indeed, you have engaged in several activities without prior approval from GACL which has typically called for emergency corrective actions."

The GACL went ahead and cited one major example relating to the commencement of construction of the private jet terminal without a Plan of Construction Operation (PCO) approval from GACL.

"We only became aware of your construction activities during routine security patrols, and we had to ask you to stop and submit a PCO for review and approval before construction continued," the GACL said.

McDan suspends operations at Terminal 1 for further engagements

Meanwhile, McDan has suspended its operations at the "Fixed-Based Operator (FBO) Terminal with immediate effect for further engagement with the GACL.

In a letter dated January 31, 2022, signed by the Executive Chairman of McDan, Daniel McKorley and addressed to the Managing Director of GACL, McDan stated:

"We are writing to officially inform you about our decision to suspend our operations at the Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) Terminal with immediate effect.
"This has become necessary to pave way for us to thoroughly engage your outfit and all the key stakeholders on the way forward. We will write to officially arrange for engagement. While at that, we will also appreciate your guidance on what will be the most appropriate step to take."
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Below is a copy of the letter

NOTICE TO SUSPEND THE USE OF TERMINAL 1 AT KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
We refer to our earlier discussions and subsequent directive to suspend the inauguration of the Private Jet Terminal at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) until all the necessary operational requirements and obligations are met.
We note with concern, your failure to comply with the directive despite the outstanding issues on the prior terms and conditions for the use and operations of Terminal 1 as a Private Jet Terminal.
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Management has consequently directed the suspension of your use of Terminal 1 until further notice.
You are kindly requested to relinquish the keys to enable Management undertake a Joint Inventory by close of business day, Monday 31s January, 2022.