Several Spanish and Italian airlines have submitted applications to operate direct flights to Accra by the summer of 2024.

Deputy Minister of Transport disclosed this during an interview with JoyBusiness following a program held in Accra to celebrate 90 years of Air France's global operations.

The Deputy Minister of Transport explained that the government is presently reviewing these applications and will soon make a decision on the next course of action.

• Read more: International airlines apply to fly directly to Kumasi Airport

“We are in the position to disclose the names because Government is still reviewing the applications,” he added.

Reasons for this interest in Ghana

The Deputy Minister of Transport noted the development has also been influenced by the growing number of persons wanting to fly to Accra from various destinations around the world.

The country has become very attractive for some of these Airlines because of some developments in the country.

“One can talk about the Year of Return Programme and Pick up of investor interest in Ghana to explore business opportunities,” the Deputy Minister added.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted the pickup in most of the airlines increasing their schedules and frequency, which the minister believes can be linked to favorable Government policies.

"Ethiopian Airlines is increasing its frequency to 10 flights a week, British Airways is also expected to introduce new schedule flights on Accra-Gatwick Rout in added to the Accra – Heathrow," the Minister added.

Mr Tampuli added that as Government they are committed to improving the infrastructure in the aviation sector to help make Accra the hub for regional airline operations.

State of Proposed National Carrier for Ghana

The Deputy Minister of Transport Alhassan Tampuli has also disclosed that plans are far advanced for the country’s proposed National Carrier to take off.

“Government has gone into agreement with a private group and signed a shareholding agreement with them and a new company has been incorporated for this New National Carrier," he added.

The Deputy Minister added “We are now waiting for the kind of Aircraft that they will use, for the Ghana Civil Aviation to inspect them and final license to be issued."

The Minister was however silent on the timelines for the airline to take off adding that "there are still some due diligence that needs to be undertaken.”