Gov’t to launch national airline within 12 months – Transport Minister

After years of unsuccessful attempts, Ghana’s long-awaited national airline could begin operations within the next year, according to the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe.

He said the government was confident that all outstanding documentation and regulatory approvals would be completed on schedule, clearing the way for the airline to take off.

Mr Nikpe made the comments on January 28 at the Kotoka International Airport, on the sidelines of the maiden flight of Air Tanzania to Ghana. He acknowledged that past efforts to revive a national carrier had failed but stressed that the current administration was determined to avoid a repeat.

“For some time, since Ghana Airways was liquidated, several attempts have been made to re-establish a national airline, but these efforts have not come to fruition,” he said.

According to the minister, lessons from those earlier failures have informed the government’s new approach. He said a dedicated task force had been established to drive the process and ensure it stays on track.

“However, I firmly believe that under President Mahama, we have set up a task force, and the task force is working. Within the next 12 months, we will be celebrating a Ghanaian airline flying to the rest of the world,” Mr Nikpe added.

The minister did not provide details on the airline’s ownership structure, funding model or fleet acquisition plans. However, he assured the public that work was progressing steadily behind the scenes.

After years of unsuccessful attempts, Ghana’s long-awaited national airline could begin operations within the next year, according to the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe.

He said the government was confident that all outstanding documentation and regulatory approvals would be completed on schedule, clearing the way for the airline to take off.

Mr Nikpe made the comments on January 28 at the Kotoka International Airport, on the sidelines of the maiden flight of Air Tanzania to Ghana. He acknowledged that past efforts to revive a national carrier had failed but stressed that the current administration was determined to avoid a repeat.

“For some time, since Ghana Airways was liquidated, several attempts have been made to re-establish a national airline, but these efforts have not come to fruition,” he said.

According to the minister, lessons from those earlier failures have informed the government’s new approach. He said a dedicated task force had been established to drive the process and ensure it stays on track.

“However, I firmly believe that under President Mahama, we have set up a task force, and the task force is working. Within the next 12 months, we will be celebrating a Ghanaian airline flying to the rest of the world,” Mr Nikpe added.

The minister did not provide details on the airline’s ownership structure, funding model or fleet acquisition plans. However, he assured the public that work was progressing steadily behind the scenes.