The Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah has announced that Ghana Airlines will start operations this year (2023).

The airline will operate as the country’s national carrier, following the decision to award Ashanti Airlines, and its operational and financial partner, Zotus Group, a tender to commence business.

“The time has come to return Ghana to the aviation map,” Mr. Asiamah said in a statement issued by Zotus Group.

Mr. Asiamah added that “learning from past experiences and following best practices within the aviation industry, it is best to collaborate with the private sector.”

The Ashanti Group was shortlisted among other bidders, through a competitive process.

The initiative subsequently received cabinet approval for the strategic partnership on February 24, 2022.

Ghana Airlines will be funded by the Zotus Group and will commence operations with flights to several domestic and regional routes, including services on global and European routes.

The airline has also set its sights on operating flights to London Heathrow and New York.

Zotus Group co-founder, Emile Heskey explained that the airline’s operations will rely significantly on passenger and cargo manifest from the British Government.

“It is with this support we anticipate a successful business model from the outset,”he added.

Ghana Airlines’ long-haul fleet could comprise Boeing 787 Dreamliners alongside Dash 8-400 aircraft servicing its regional and domestic routes.

In November 2019 the Ghanaian government signed a provisional order at the Dubai Airshow to acquire three Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Ghana’s airspace has been without a national airline for 13 years following the collapse of former national airlines Ghana Airways, which occurred in 2004, and Ghana International Airlines, which followed six years later in 2010.

The new national airline has already acquired an Air Carrier License (ACL) and is finalising its acquisition of an Air Operator Certificate (AOC).