Ghana Seeks Majority Private Investor to Launch New National Airline by Early 2027
#EBR_News May 8, 2026
Ghana has launched a formal search for a strategic private investor to establish a new national airline, marking the West African country's most significant attempt to revive a flag carrier since the collapse of Ghana Airways more than two decades ago.
The Ministry of Transport announced it has begun a "market sounding" exercise to identify qualified airline operators or aviation investors with proven operational experience, regulatory compliance records, and the financial capacity to support fleet acquisition and route development. Under the proposed model, the strategic partner will hold a majority equity stake in the joint venture, signaling a deliberate shift away from full state ownership toward private-sector leadership.
The proposed airline will be based in Accra, which the government envisions as a regional and intercontinental hub for both passenger and cargo services. The carrier is expected to operate a full-service long-haul network to Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia, alongside regional routes and an integrated cargo division. Officials have targeted initial operations no later than the first quarter of 2027.
Ghana has been without a functioning national airline since Ghana Airways collapsed in 2004 under the weight of $160 million in debt, mismanagement, and safety violations that led to a U. S. ban. A successor, Ghana International Airlines, launched in 2005 but folded in 2010. Successive governments have made repeated attempts to resurrect a national carrier, including signing MOUs with Ethiopian Airlines in 2018 and EgyptAir in 2020, none of which materialized.
The revival effort is part of a broader aviation push under President John Dramani Mahama. A 10-member task force chaired by Charles Asare, former Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, was established in May 2025 to oversee the project. The government has also engaged Boeing to discuss fleet acquisition, maintenance support, and aviation training.
Infrastructure upgrades are underway to support the airline's launch, including a new concourse at Accra International Airport with five passenger boarding bridges, VIP and business lounges, and expanded retail facilities. Passenger traffic at the airport climbed to 3.625 million in 2025, up from 3.4 million in 2024, underscoring Ghana's growing aviation demand.
Ethiopian Airlines has previously expressed willingness to assist Ghana in establishing a national carrier. Lemma Yadecha, Commercial Manager of Ethiopian Airlines, told the Ghana News Agency in 2023 that the carrier would "be more than happy to assist, because it is not about business or commercial ventures, but about making Africa self-sufficient in air transport". Ethiopian Airlines has successfully managed ASKY in Togo, Zambian Airways, and Malawian Airlines under similar partnership models.
Interested investors have until May 29, 2026, to submit proposals outlining their company profile, relevant experience, and preliminary business plans to the Ministry of Transport in Accra.
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