Company slogan Wings of Ghana Website flygoldstar.com Fleet size 3 | Key people Eric Bannerman, CEO Founded 2014 | |
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Hubs Kotoka International Airport (Accra) Hub Kotoka International Airport (Accra) | ||
Goldstar Air is an upcoming Ghanaian airline based at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. It plans to launch flights to both regional and long-haul destinations.
Contents
History
Goldstar Air was founded in 2014 as Goldstar Airlines. It planned to begin operations on 13 June 2014 with twice-weekly flights to Baltimore in the United States and London–Gatwick, followed by Guangzhou, China and Natal in Brazil. The airline planned to use McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and Boeing 747 aircraft. However, the launch date was postponed to late July 2014 before being indefinitely postponed, as the airline was still awaiting certification from the GCAA.
Goldstar Air has experienced delays in receiving certification from the GCAA. In September 2014, it appealed to President John Dramani Mahama for help, as the GCAA had still not inspected the airline's aircraft and facilities in the United States. In July 2015, Goldstar Air threatened to stage a protest in Accra against the GCAA, after it allowed South African Airways to operate the same route Goldstar Air had applied for (Accra to Washington, D.C.). However, the protest was avoided when Minister for Transport Dzifa Ativor ordered the GCAA to inspect Goldstar Air's aircraft.
In January 2016, the airline announced it would begin a training programme for flight attendants. Goldstar Air will employ local Ghanaian flight attendants but will initially employ expatriates for the cockpit crew. In June 2016, Goldstar Air said it was working on obtaining its Air Carrier Licence, after which it would receive its air operator's certificate and commence operations by the third quarter of the year. The airline has secured incentives from Baltimore Airport authorities in preparation for Goldstar Air's planned flights to the airport. Goldstar Air later revealed that it would use the Diamond Hangar FBO at London Stansted Airport as a maintenance facility and employee training school.
In August 2016, Goldstar Air announced that it had purchased three aircraft, which needed to be inspected by the GCAA. CEO Eric Bannerman stated in November 2016 that the airline plans to launch operations in February or March 2017, starting with flights to Baltimore.
Destinations
The airline plans to launch flights between Accra and Baltimore in February or March 2017. Other destinations under consideration include London and various West African cities.
Fleet
Goldstar Air will operate two Boeing 737-300s and three Boeing 767-300s.