EgyptAir, Ghana ink pact for a new flag carrier

October 22, 2020: Ghana signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with EgyptAir for the establishment of a new flag carrier.

Despite the signing of an MoU last year with Ethiopian Airlines to actualise the vision of a new home-based carrier, the deal was held back due to a lack of agreement over key issues such as routes, funding, and tenure of the management contract among others. In May last year, Ghana has entered into a strategic partnership with Ethiopian Airlines to realise the dream of getting a national carrier following the demise of Ghana Airways and Ghana International Airlines in the 2000s.

According to AviationGhana, the Cairo-based airline’s proposal, after careful scrutiny by the committee of aviation experts constituted by the aviation ministry, was ‘much better’ than what was proposed by Africa’s biggest airline.

Ghana aviation minister Joseph Kofi Adda told AviationGhana, “We were looking out for what is best for Ghana in all our engagements with the potential partners. This [The deal with EgyptAir] has come at a time when the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement is to come into effect early next year. Once the airline is set up, it is expected to play a key role in passenger and cargo transport within the continent and between Africa and other parts of the world.”

The shareholders agreement expected to be finalised in the coming weeks. The agreement is also expected to be submitted to Parliament for approval in the coming weeks.

In September last year, Adda declared at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) 40th Triennial Assembly in Montreal, Canada that the carrier likely to be called as Akwaaba Airlines will soon begin operations.