Ghana to Launch New National Airline by Q1 2027, Government Said

Dergam Mousa

1 day ago

After more than two decades without a state-operated carrier, Ghana is preparing to launch a new national airline, aiming to begin operations before the first quarter of 2027. This announcement marks the country’s most concrete step since the collapse of Ghana Airways in 2004, once again positioning air transport as a strategic priority for the State.

The information was confirmed by the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, during a recent aviation event in Accra. The project reflects an initiative that, while still lacking several key definitions, is advancing within an explicit political and regulatory timeline.

A Defined Deadline After Years of Failed Attempts

During the official welcome of Air Tanzania’s new service between Dar es Salaam and Accra, inaugurated on January 28, Nikpe assured that all pending regulatory processes and necessary documentation will be completed within the next 12 months.

“Within the next 12 months, we will be celebrating a Ghanaian airline flying to the rest of the world,” the minister stated.

This message carries significant weight in a country where previous attempts to establish a national airline failed to thrive, such as Ghana International Airlines, which launched in 2010 and was subsequently dissolved. This new initiative seeks to break that pattern, although it is currently proceeding with caution regarding the disclosure of operational details.

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A Dedicated Team to Design the New Carrier

The project took institutional shape in May 2025, when the government created a 10-member task force specifically charged with revitalizing a flag carrier. Their responsibilities include:

Fleet acquisition.

Route planning.

Personnel structure.

Supervision of the regulatory process.

The group is chaired by Charles Asare, former Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, and includes industry professionals and former regulators. This technical expertise is a relevant detail in an environment where such experience has historically been a critical factor in success or failure.

According to the minister, the project is “progressing steadily,” though data regarding the ownership model, shareholding structure, and the type of planned fleet have not yet been revealed. These aspects will be decisive in evaluating its long-term viability.

Strategic Silence on Fleet and Corporate Structure

One of the most sensitive points of the announcement is precisely what has not been communicated. Nikpe avoided confirming whether the airline will be 100% state-owned, a joint venture, or involve private participation. Additionally, there were no references to:

Aircraft types.

Initial number of planes.

Target markets (regional, intercontinental, or mixed).

Key Clarification: Not to Be Confused with Air Ghana

The government emphasized that this new airline should not be confused with Air Ghana, a private operator that obtained its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in 2014.

Currently, Air Ghana:

Operates ACMI cargo flights for DHL Aviation SSA.

Operates under the DHL Express brand.

Is preparing to launch passenger operations in the first quarter of 2026, once its regulatory procedures and aircraft acquisitions are finalized.

While both initiatives coincide in timing, there is no direct link between Air Ghana and the state-sponsored national airline project.

The Ghanaian government’s announcement represents the clearest and most structured movement in years to recover a flag carrier. However, regional experience demonstrates that success will depend less on the political calendar and more on pending technical decisions: an appropriate fleet, professional governance, and a realistic financial model.