The Government of Ghana (GoG) and Cairo-based EgyptAir on Wednesday, October 21, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a new national airline.
The selection of EgyptAir as Ghana’s partner for the launch of the new home-based carrier follows series of engagement with senior management team of the airline and the committee of aviation experts constituted by the Aviation Ministry over the past two weeks.
Ethiopian Airlines was previously selected be GoG’s strategic partner in establishing a new national airline, but due to lack of agreement over key issues such as routes, funding, tenure of the management contract among others, led to the airline being dropped as Government’s strategic partner for a new home-based carrier.
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.
“This deal with EgyptAir has come at a time when the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement is to come into effect early next year. Once the airline is set up, it is expected to play a key role in passenger and cargo transport within the continent and between Africa and other parts of the world,” said Aviation Minister, Joseph Kofi Adda after signing the MoU with EgyptAir.
EgyptAir currently operates scheduled passenger and freight services to more than 75 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
