The government of Ghana has announced plans to launch a new national carrier next year 2023. Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta revealed the plans and s
The government of Ghana has announced plans to launch a new national carrier next year 2023. Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta revealed the plans and said the carrier will be based at Accra’s Kotoka International Airport (ACC).
“Shareholders and partnership agreements were signed with the selected strategic partner for the home-based carrier, which will be known as GhanaAirlines. The airline is expected to be operationalized in 2023,” said Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta.
GhanaAirlines
Ashanti Airlines was selected by the Ghanaian government in September 2022 as a strategic investor to help establish the new national carrier after outbidding other suitors, such as EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines and financial firm JNH Group. Ashanti Airlines is based in Ghana and is owned by local business magnates Osei Kwame Despite, co-founder of the Despite Group of Companies and his partner, Ernest Ofori Sarpong.
GhanaAirlines’ home will be the country’s largest airport, Kotoka International Airport in Accra, which saw up to three million passengers per year pre-pandemic. The airport has been awarded the title of “Best Airport in Africa” by Airports Council International for the last three years running.
The establishment of GhanaAirlines will bring the 12-year absence of a national carrier in Ghana to an end. The African nation has been without a flag carrier since the demise of Ghana Airways in 2004 and later that of Ghana International Airlines in 2010. Africa World Airlines is currently the largest carrier in Ghana, last year accounting for over 65% of all domestic traffic. This is followed by Passion Air, with its fleet of five Dash 8s.