The Ghanaian government has awarded Ashanti Airlines and its operational and financial partner Zotus Group a tender to operate Ghana Airlines.
In a statement to AeroTime, UK-based investment firm Zotus Group confirmed that Ghana Airlines will commence operations in 2023 from Accra, Ghana’s capital.
Ghana’s Minister for Transport, Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah commented on the announcement, stating that: “The time has come to return Ghana to the aviation map. 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, namely through a competitive process, and subsequently received cabinet approval for the strategic partnership on February 24, 2022.
According to the statement sent to AeroTime, 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.
The statement highlighted that the airline is recruiting several C-suite roles in its management to help drive the airline forward.
Ghana Airline’s fleet
Zotus Group co-founder, Emile Heskey commented on preparations to source aircraft for the airline’s operations “with a significant focus on cargo and passenger manifest from the British Government”.
“It is with this support we anticipate a successful business model from the outset,” Heskey added.
Ghana Airlines’ long-haul fleet could comprise of 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 Airlines and a new pan-African aviation hub
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo and the United Kingdom Prime Minister’s Trade Envoys Lord Popat and Baroness Hoey have backed the bid to create a new pan-African aviation hub, through Ghana Airlines.
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 finalizing its acquisition of an Air Operator Certificate (AOC).