Ghana’s new national airline can be a reality in 2023. The Ghanaian government revealed 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 2023 budget presentation to the Ghanaian Parliament. Ofori-Atta also stated that the African country 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 suitors, such as EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines and financial firm JNH Group.
The establishment of GhanaAirlines will bring the 12-year absence of a national carrier in Ghana to an end. This follows the collapse of former national airlines Ghana Airways in 2004, and Ghana International Airlines, in 2010.
The new national carrier will accommodate short-, medium- and long-haul routes. It will have a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners and De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft.
Domestic 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 aircrafts.
Ghana’s Aviation Minister, Joseph Kofi Adda revealed that the airline would be based in Accra, Ghana 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 gives us 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 service its long-haul routes. They will operate a provisional order for three Boeing Dreamliners. The Ghanaian government signed the agreement during the 2019 Dubai Airshow.