A new committee constituted to advise government on the best possible modalities for setting up a home-based carrier to drive the Ghana’s aviation hub vision, is currently perusing the EgyptAir deal and will soon submit their recommendations to government.
The reconstitution of the Committee, chaired by Mr. Twumasi Ankra-Selby, an astute transport consultant, became imperative after the erstwhile Ministry of Aviation was placed under the Ministry of Transport, as part of government’s decision to trim the number of Ministerial portfolios.
Ghana last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EgyptAir for the establishment of a new flag carrier.
The choice of Cairo-based EgyptAir as the preferred strategic partner follows series of engagement with senior management team of the airline and the committee of aviation experts constituted by the former Ministry of Aviation.
Read This: Fuel price at pumps to rise by 2% on Thursday
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 what government described as a lack of agreement over key issues such as routes, funding, and tenure of the management contract among others.
EgyptAir, according to sources, offered a better deal in terms of funding for the new airline, routes, fleet and personnel– with Ghanaians expected to play key roles in the new entity once it is established.
However, the new Committee is going over every detail in EgyptAir’s proposal and will submit their recommendation in the week ahead.
