The Chief Operations Officer of Plugin Media, Francis Doku has reignited discussions on the crucial necessity of establishing a national airline for Ghana to enhance tourism.
Emphasizing the role airlines play in driving tourism, he stressed the potential impact on boosting Ghana’s tourism industry.
Doku pointed out that even smaller nations like Seychelles and Botswana have successfully invested in airlines to support their tourism sectors.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z with Kwame Dadzie, he underscored the importance of flying the national flag high to promote Ghana as a travel destination.
In September 2022, plans for Ghana’s national airline, Ghana Airlines Limited, were announced, with initial intentions to launch in 2023.
However, the launch did not materialize as planned.
Transport Minister Kwaku Asiamah Ofori had assured that all requirements were met and that the airline would start selling tickets by April or May, with flights commencing by June-July.
“It is well grounded and all the requirements have been satisfied. They are going to launch their logo, my information is that by the end of April or May, they will start selling their tickets. And by June-July, you will see a national airline-Ghana Airlines flying in the air. Insha Allah it shall be well, ” Kwaku Asiamah stated.
This initiative aimed to revive the national carrier role, which was previously held by Ghana Airways (1958-2004) and later Ghana International Airlines (2005-2010).
Financial issues and a US ban led to the grounding of Ghana Airways, prompting the need for a renewed effort to establish a national airline for the country.
“Airlines help to drive tourism as much as possible. Even the smallest countries have airlines – Seychelles, a country of hundred thousand people have an airline because they’ve really invested in that. Botswana, I mean recently AFCON, it’s Ivorian Airways that is carrying people. They had issue some time but they recovered. So that conversation has to come. The national flag has to be flown again,” Francis Doku told Kwame Dadzie on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z.
This role was previously served by Ghana Airways, which operated from 1958 to 2004.
Debts and a ban from the US spelled grounded the operations of the airlines.
Ghana International Airlines then took over as the national carrier from 2005 to 2010.