December 30, 2017 - As part of it effort to launch its national carrier, the Ghanaian government announced that it has shortlisted Ethiopian Airlines along with two more airlines to relaunch a national carrier in Accra.Ghanaian minister of aviation, Cecelia Dapaah, announced that Ethiopian Airlines, Air Mauritius, and indigenous carrier, Africa World Air all remain deeply engaged with the government. The talks stem from a government policy to re-establish a flag carrier following the demise of Ghana Airways in 2004 and Ghana International Airlines (GIA) in 2010. The West African country does not have a national carrier since then.
Cecelia Dapaah recently visited the headquarters of Ethiopian Airlines Group. After visiting the newly built modern aviation facilities, Dapaah expressed her government’s interest to work with Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian had submitted its expression of interest to partner with the Ghanaian government in relaunching a national carrier in Accra.
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam told The Reporter that his management is happy that the Ghanaian government has shortlisted Ethiopian as a potential partner. “If we are selected we are committed to work together with the Ghanaian government to re-establish the national carrier of Ghana.”
In West Africa Ethiopian Airlines has its second hub in Lomé, Togo where it owns a 40 percent stake in ASKY Airlines. Asked if the partnership in Accra would affect ASKY’s operation Tewolde said that if Ethiopian is selected as a partner to re-establish the national carrier in Accra, the new venture will not in any way affect the operation of ASKY. “In fact the two airlines will cooperate in many ways in the West African market.”
In a related news, the Government of Zambia recently chose Ethiopian as a preferred strategic partner to re-establish its national carrier Zambia Airways. The Zambian government intends to make an initial investment and own 55 percent of the new airline, while Ethiopian holds a 45 percent stake.
Acting Information Minister Stephen Kampyongo last week said that Zambia will have 55 percent shares in the national airline whilst Ethiopian Airlines will get the remaining 45 percent shares.
Kampyongo said Zambia Airways would be given a 16.5 million dollars grant for start-up and operational costs in the first year.
Asked how much Ethiopian will invest on Zambia Airways, Tewolde said that the process is at its initial stage. “We have not signed a shareholders’ contract which is the beginning of all other relations,” Tewolde told The Reporter.
Source:- Reporter