Ghana’s domestic aviation market could welcome at least two new airlines by 2027, as prospective operators currently undergoing certification move closer to completing the regulatory process.
Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur, said the Authority was hopeful that the airlines would successfully complete the required certification process and join existing domestic operators.
Speaking on the PM Express Business Edition hosted by George Wiafe on September 24, 2026, Rev. Arthur said the prospective operators were currently going through the five phases of certification required by the aviation regulator.
We still have that hope that those currently going through the five phases of certification could be completed on time for them to join the current operators,” he said.
According to him, the entry of additional airlines could increase competition, provide passengers with more travel options and potentially contribute to lower domestic airfares.
“We are hopeful when all these players come on board, that could go a long way to reduce fares and bring on board the required options for consumers within Ghana,” he added.
Safety remains priority
Rev. Arthur stressed that while the GCAA was encouraging new operators to enter the domestic aviation market, safety would not be compromised in the process.
He said the Authority’s responsibility was to ensure that all prospective airlines met the required regulatory and safety standards before being allowed to commence operations.
Ghana currently has two airlines operating in the domestic aviation market, compared with previous periods when about five carriers operated on domestic routes.
Rev. Arthur said the collapse or exit of some airlines could not be attributed solely to regulation and taxation, pointing instead to a combination of business and operational challenges.
We could look at lack of capital, boardroom wranglings, corporate governance issues and possibly cost of aviation fuel,” he said.
High domestic airfares
On concerns over high domestic airfares, Rev. Arthur said the GCAA could not directly dictate how airlines priced their tickets because fares were largely influenced by market conditions.
However, he said effective regulation and increased competition could help create conditions for more competitive fares.
It will be difficult for the regulator to direct the airline on how to price their tickets, but we believe that with effective regulation, competition and market forces, that could help to reduce prices,” he said.
He also disclosed that government had recently removed duties and taxes on spare parts for domestic airlines as part of measures aimed at reducing the cost of operating in the sector.
According to him, reducing operational costs would help create a more favourable environment for domestic carriers and encourage investment in the industry.
Improving aviation business environment
Rev. Arthur said the GCAA was also working to improve the broader business environment within the aviation sector to attract more operators.
He noted that government had invested significantly in aviation infrastructure across the country, making it important to ensure that the infrastructure supported increased passenger movement and economic activity.
We are also working to improve the economy around this aviation infrastructure that government is building in the country,” he said.
He added that attracting more airlines and expanding domestic air travel would help maximise the benefits of the country’s aviation infrastructure.
Because we cannot develop all these infrastructures and at the end of the day it is very difficult for people to fly in the country,” he said.
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