Ghana’s government says a new national airline is expected to begin operations within the next 12 months, marking a renewed effort to restore a state-backed presence in the aviation sector after years of failed attempts.
The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, said preparations were at an advanced stage, with regulatory processes and documentation underway to ensure the airline becomes operational by 2026.
Ghana has been without a national carrier for more than a decade following the collapse of Ghana International Airlines around 2010.
The airline was established after the earlier shutdown of Ghana Airways, which ceased operations in the mid-2000s due to financial and operational challenges.
Several previous attempts to revive a national airline have failed to materialise.
Most recently, the government announced in May last year the formation of a 10-member task force to develop a sustainable business model and implementation roadmap for a new carrier.
According to the transport minister, the task force is making steady progress, with work ongoing on regulatory approvals, fleet planning, route development, staffing, and engagement with potential strategic and technical partners.
Unlike earlier national carriers, the government says the new airline will adopt a different ownership and management structure.
The state is expected to play a limited role, with a strong emphasis on private sector participation and professional management, a move officials believe will help avoid the financial difficulties that undermined previous ventures.
Mr Nikpe said lessons learned from the failures of Ghana Airways and Ghana International Airlines are shaping the current strategy to ensure the long-term viability of the proposed airline.
The minister also announced broader plans to improve the passenger movement at Kotoka International Airport, including infrastructure upgrades aimed at enhancing efficiency and passenger experience, as the country positions itself as a regional aviation hub.
The government says further details on the airline’s launch timeline, ownership structure, and operational routes will be announced as the regulatory process progresses.
