Ghana is part of a growing list of African countries hoping to cash in on the projected annual growth rate of 4.6% in passenger demand on the continent until 2037, driven by an appetite for demand for business and leisure travel.

According to Aviation Ghana, Ghanaian authorities will as soon as July this year announce the preferred bidder for the nation’s new national carrier.

Among the contestants to be the government’s strategic partner and revive the National carrier include; EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Ashanti Airlines and financial firm JNH group.

Their proposals to help establish a new national airline are being vetted by a special committee appointed by the transport ministry.

Ashanti Airlines owned by a Ghanaian Business magnate Osei Kwame Despite co-founder of Despite Group appears to be the front-runner in the contest according to multiple sources.

Previous MOU in 2019 with African Aviation heavyweight Ethiopian Airlines did not materialize with sources citing disagreements such as financing and routes.

This led to another MOU at the start of 2020 with EgyptAir whose terms were more favorable.

Ghana’s government signed provisional orders for three Boeing 787 Dreamliners and six smaller aircraft from Canada’s De Havilland Canada. The country has not had  a national carrier for 12 years now.

Source: Airspace Africa