Ghana national airline to fly in 12 months

Ghana’s proposed national airline is expected to become operational within 12 months, the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has announced.

He expressed optimism that all the necessary documentation and processes would soon be completed to enable the proposed national carrier to begin operations.

“For some time, since Ghana Airways was liquidated, several attempts have been made to re-establish a national airline, but these efforts have not come to fruition.

“However, I firmly believe that under President Mahama, we have set up a task force, and the task force is working.

Within the next 12 months, we will be celebrating a Ghanaian airline flying to the rest of the world,” the minister said in an interview with the media on the sidelines of the maiden flight of Air Tanzania to the Kotoka International Airport last Wednesday night.

The context

Since the collapse of Ghana Airways in the early 2000s, successive governments have made several attempts to establish a reliable home-based airline to provide regional, sub-regional and international air transport services under the country’s banner.

Its successor, Ghana International Airlines, which commenced operations in 2005, also ceased operations in 2010, leaving a significant gap in Ghana’s aviation industry.

In a renewed effort, the previous government sought to revive the national carrier project, with Ashanti Airlines Limited (AAL) emerging as the strategic partner after winning the bid.

However, the initiative stalled after AAL failed to meet key deadlines, rendering the efforts — which began in 2017 — unsuccessful.

The current government renewed the push in May last year by inaugurating a 10-member task force to develop a sustainable business model, with the aim of launching the national airline in 2026.

Good job

The Transport Minister stated that the work of the task force was progressing positively, and very soon the country would re-establish its national airline.

“The task force, I must say, is doing a good job, and we are up to the task. Very soon, we will re-establish our own national airline,” he said.

The national airline task force is required to start the process of developing a business model and operational framework for the proposed project.

It is also required to coordinate engagements with potential strategic and technical partners, oversee regulatory compliance and the certification process, including facilitating initial operational arrangements like staffing, fleet acquisition and route planning.

No govt equity

Mr Nikpe stressed that the government did not intend to hold equity in the proposed national carrier, which should commence operations within the next 12 months.

He explained that the decision to limit government ownership was aimed at ensuring that the airline would be fully privately owned and professionally managed to promote efficiency, competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

Mr Nikpe said lessons from past experiences had informed the current approach, with emphasis placed on a strong commercial business model rather than direct state control.

“I am telling you that this time around, we are going to re-establish a national airline, and you will soon see it.

“The business model is being made, and then we will go, but we as a government will not want to hold many shares in it; it will be definitely a partnership that we will use to create or re-establish a national airline,” the minister stated.

Terminal connection

Mr Nikpe said efforts were underway to connect Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at the Kotoka International Airport to provide passengers with improved and seamless services across both terminals.

He explained that the initiative formed part of broader efforts by the government to upgrade airport infrastructure and enhance passenger experience.

The Transport Minister said continuous investments over the years had significantly improved facilities at the country’s airports, with the planned inter-terminal connection expected to ensure uniform services for both domestic and international travellers.

He said Terminal 3, which was constructed under President Mahama, remained a proud national aviation asset with advanced aviation facilities.

“With that same leadership and guidance, we are confident that this time around, we will successfully re-establish a national airline,” he added.