Ghana market may add four more carriers by YE19 - CAA boss ch-aviation PRO exclusive

Africa World Airlines (AW, Accra) has announced in a press release that it will become the first carrier to launch scheduled flights to the new airport in Wa in north-western Ghana.

The airline will launch services from Accra via Tamale to Wa on October 15, 2019. Flights will operate 3x weekly onboard E145 regional jets.

"The decision to launch this service is part of AWA's commitment to providing safe and affordable air transportation to all Ghanaians. This new airport in the Upper West will help boost existing business travel to the region, as well as create new opportunities for tourists exploring Mole National Park and its surroundings," Head of Commercial Richard Kyereh said.

In 2018, Unity Air (Ghana) (AFD, Accra) also hinted at launching services to Wa in the future.

Wa is set to become Ghana's fifth airport with scheduled commercial flights after Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and Takoradi. According to the ch-aviation capacities module, the capital gateway sees by far the largest share of the...

The Ghanaian Government has finalized a strategic partnership agreement with Ethiopian Airlines (ET, Addis Ababa) over the formation of a new national carrier. The move follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed between the two sides in December last year.

According to sources close to developments who spoke to the B&FT newspaper, the final agreement was signed on Wednesday last week and will see the Ghanaian state owning a 51% stake in the new airline with Ethiopian owning the remainder. However, Accra has indicated that its overall plan is to transfer an unspecified tranche to local Ghanaian entities.

“A number of them have expressed interest and the Ministry of Aviation is still speaking with some of the insurance companies and banks who have expressed interest," Simon Allotey, Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) later told the B&FT. "But initially, what might happen is that government’s initial shareholding might go beyond 10%. It will hold the shares for the potential Ghanaian investors because we can’t wait for all of them to come on-board...

Hong Kong Airlines (HX, Hong Kong Int'l) has a new chief executive and head of finance, both joining from HNA Group which has a stake of around 29% stake in the carrier, while the company’s president has left the company, the South China Morning Post has reported.

Sun Jianfeng, previously president of HNA flagship business Hainan Airlines (HU, Haikou), is the new CEO. He was already a director of Hong Kong Airlines Holdings, the carrier’s holding company. A former pilot, he was executive vice-president of Hong Kong Airlines a decade ago, according to a resume seen by the newspaper.

The chief finance officer is Li Neng, the report says, who joins from a position as chief innovation officer at HNA Tourism Investment Group and who has had senior roles at TAP Air Portugal, Virgin Australia and Africa World Airlines.

CEO is a newly created role at Hong Kong Airlines. Wang Liya, who as president was effectively the carrier's chief executive, will step down into an advisory role, the airline...