Ghana Airlines, a new national carrier is expected to begin operating in the third quarter of 2023.

This is after the government of Ghana awarded Ashanti Airlines, and its operational and financial Partners the Zotus Group the tender to operate Ghana Airlines out of Accra. The airline has also obtained its air carrier licence and is in the final stages of obtaining the air operator certificate.

Ashanti Airlines was shortlisted among others through a competitive process and subsequently received Cabinet approval for the Strategic Partnership on February 24, 2022.

"Ghana Airlines, funded by UK-based investment fund Zotus Group will commence flights in 2023 with several domestic & regional routes with global and European routes, including London Heathrow and New York (USA) to follow shortly thereafter," the partners said in a statement.

The Zotus Group was co-founded by former England footballer Emile Heskey and Davison Simango.

The statement added that Heskey will lead a credible Board of Directors along with aviation start-up supremo Hitesh Patel, business development expert Davison Simango and well-known Public Relations Director, Alex Rayner.

The airline is currently recruiting for a number of C-suite roles to drive the airline forward.

Heskey said: “There is a lot of work on-going already to get the airline ready for start-up, we are in the market sourcing aircraft to start our operations with a significant focus on cargo and passenger manifest from the British Government. It is with this support we anticipate a successful business model from the outset.”

Zotus Group and Ashanti Airlines have worked diligently on the process, led by Ashanti Chairman, Dr. Ernest Sarpong and supported by Fort Group CEO, Mr Kwesi Taylor and Ashanti Airlines Managing Director Mr. Kojo Danso.