Confirming our previous report, Egyptair (MS) and foundering Ghanaian carrier CTK CiTylinK Airlines (CTQ) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Headquarters of the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation in Cairo, Egypt which will see "both airlines promoting air transportation expansion in West Africa." |
| CTY Citylink Let410 in Accra (PMorley) |
In our previous report, it was allured to that Egyptair would take a majority shareholding (51%) in the carrier, though this was not touched upon in today's press release. It is speculated that EgyptAir are to send two of their EgyptAir Express aircraft to Ghana as part of the deal to bolster CiTylinK, whose current operations were suspended in early August following which, it lost its leased Fokker 100 over unpaid leasing charges.
At present, both airlines are said to be are in the process of planning
the operational schedules and the necessary marketing plans needed for in the near
future.
Attending the ceremony were the Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation, Samir
Embaby, the Ghanaian Minister of Transport, Collins Dauda, Ghana's Ambassador to Egypt, Alhaji Saed Sinare, and various officials from
both airlines.
Speaking at the occasion, Collins Dauda, the Ghanaian Minister of Transport, said:
“We in Ghana welcome this cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation which will yield numerous benefits not only for both countries but also for the other neighbouring countries in the West African region as well.” He added that “Accra is now the hub of aviation and the preferred destination in the West Africa sub region. Signing this MoU is the first step for initiating a partnership between EGYPTAIR and CTK, whereof Accra airport will be used as a hub.“
Egyptair will now join Ethiopian Airlines(Asky Airlines), South African Airways (TBA), Germania (Gambia Bird), Air France (Air Cote d'Ivoire) and FastJet (Fly540) as the West African aviation market heats up.