EgyptAir, the state-owned flag carrier of Egypt, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghanaian government to partner in the creation of a new Ghanaian national air carrier.

The MoU was signed by Ghana’s Aviation Minister Joseph Kofi Adda, and the Deputy Chairman of EgyptAir Hassan Mounir, on October 21, 2020.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EgyptAir Amr Abu El-Enein, said that the airline was very happy the Ghanaian government chose to do business with them.

He added that when the new airline is fully established, it would operate from its headquarters in Accra and fly regular routes throughout Africa and other continents.

"We are pleased with the confidence of the Ghanaian government in choosing and preferring EgyptAir among the major European, Asian and African airlines for this strategic partnership in establishing a new airline operates from its headquarter in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, and its network of lines extends throughout Africa, connecting it with countries of North and South America", he said.

EgyptAir is not the first airline to sign a similar MoU with the Ghanaian government. The government signed a similar MoU with Ethiopian Airlines to cooperate in funding and management of the new national airline.

The Ghanaian government however reportedly raised concerns over Ethiopian Airlines' ability to handle the country’s national airline after both parties failed to agree on key issues.

These issues include routes, flight frequencies, funding aspects, and tenure of the management. During the struggle to reach an agreement, it is reported that EgyptAir offered the government more favourable terms than Ethiopia did.

The Ghanaian government was considering holding 10% of shares in the new national airline while private investors hold the rest.

The agreement signed between the Ghanaian government and EgyptAir can only be implemented after Parliament approves it.