Michael Yao Foli, a retired pilot has kicked against the Ghana government’s decision to partner EgyptAir as a strategic partner for the establishment of a new national airline.
Foli believes EgyptAir is currently not liquid to make the venture viable.
Speaking on The Asaase Breakfast Show with Kojo Mensah on Monday (26 July), he said: “What I know is that EgyptAir itself right now is in financial problem. In 2020, EgyptAir got about US$318 million from the government to run the airline and in 2021 they are asking for the same money.”
“What do they want to use the money for; to pay their wages, to pay for loans and to pay the cost of leasing aircraft. So this is a company that needs money to do these, what are they going to do to help us.
“They are talking about four Boeing 737, you don’t start an airline with four aircraft, so they are probably going to offload their surplus aircraft on us and then they will be repatriating all the money we make to pay for those aircraft,” Foli added.
Broader consultation
On his part, Maxwell Ocansey Arthur, a management consultant speaking on the same show, said there are more viable airlines that the government can partner with for a new national airline.
He wants the government to consult more.
“Why can’t they engage, like Captain Foli is there, if you want to form an airline why can’t they engage people so that we can think about it and come out with something viable.
“I think the government should get aviation experts, let them put their heads together, give them about one month with an alternative, call a national debate and let us debate,” Arthur said.
Background
The Aviation Ministry and EgyptAir in October 2020 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and subsequently reached an agreement for the establishment of a new national carrier.
The choice of Cairo-based EgyptAir as the preferred strategic partner follows a series of engagements with senior management team of the airline and the committee of aviation experts constituted by the Aviation Ministry.
Fred Dzakpata
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