Goldstar Air

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.. Goldstar Air is a strategic partner of the Government of Liberia.[1] The company slogan is Wings of Ghana.

Goldstar Air
IATA ICAO Callsign
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Founded2014
HubsKotoka International Airport (Accra)
Fleet size5
Key peopleEric Bannerman, CEO
Websiteflygoldstar.com

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.[2] The airline planned to use McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and Boeing 747 aircraft. However, the launch date was postponed to late July 2014[3] before being indefinitely postponed, as the airline was still awaiting certification from the GCAA.[4]

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.[5] 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.).[6] However, the protest was avoided when Minister for Transport Dzifa Ativor ordered the GCAA to inspect Goldstar Air's aircraft.[7]

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.[8] 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.[9] The airline has secured incentives from Baltimore Airport authorities in preparation for Goldstar Air's planned flights to the airport.[10] Goldstar Air later revealed that it would use the Diamond Hangar FBO at London Stansted Airport as a maintenance facility and employee training school.[11]

In August 2016, Goldstar Air announced that it had purchased three aircraft, which needed to be inspected by the GCAA.[12] The following September, the GCAA released a notice advising customers not to do business with the airline, stating that Goldstar had begun to advertise its services despite lacking an operating permit.[13]

In October 2020, Goldstar Air signed an strategic partnership agreement with the Government of Liberia to revive the national carrier under the "Lone Star Air" brand. [14]

Destinations

The airline plans to launch flights between Accra and Baltimore. Other destinations under consideration include London and various West African cities.[15][16][17]

Country City Airport Notes Refs
United KingdomLondonHeathrow Airport
United StatesBaltimoreBaltimore Washington International Airport
ProvidenceTF Green International Airport
AtlantaHartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
HoustonGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport
ColumbusJohn Glenn Columbus International Airport
LiberiaMonroviaRoberts International Airport
NigeriaLagosMurtala Muhammed International Airport
Sierra LeoneFreetownLungi International Airport
SenegalDakarBlaise Diagne International Airport
The GambiaBanjulBanjul International Airport
GuineaConakryConakry International Airport
ChinaGuangzhouGuangzhou International Airport
DubaiDubaiDubai International Airport
GhanaAccraKotoka International AirportHub
TamaleTamale Airport

Fleet

Goldstar Air will operate two Boeing 737-300s and three Boeing 777-200s as well as up to forty Airbus A380.[15]

It is projecting a fleet of more than 100 modern aircraft. [18]

The aircraft will be named after former Presidents of Ghana.[19]

  • 9G-AKUFFOADDO
  • 9G-JOHNMAHAMA
  • 9G-ATTAMILLS
  • 9G-JOHNKUFFUOR
  • 9G-JERRYJOHNRAWLINGS

In October 2020, Goldstar Air announced that it would also name an aircraft as 9G-H.E.GEORGEOPPONGWEAH in honour of George Weah, the President of Liberia.[20]

Maintenance

Goldstar Air has announced its intention to conduct maintenance on its fleet at Tamale Airport. It has named its planned maintenance hangar after the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Alhaji Nuhu Sharabatu.[21]

Awards

Goldstar Air was recognised as Most Promising Airline of the Year by the Quality Excellence Awards in 2017. [22]

The CEO of Goldstar Air, Mr. Eric Bannerman, received the Most Inspiring Personality in Aviation Award from the Global Stewardship Awards in 2020.[23]


See also

References
  1. https://www.facebook.com/107537281121790/posts/107590507783134/
  2. "Ghanaian start-up, Goldstar, to tap intercontinental market". Ch-aviation. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  3. Addo, Charles (11 June 2014). "Goldstar Airlines postpone flights to various destinations". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  4. "Profile on Goldstar Airlines". CAPA - Centre for Aviation. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  5. "Ghana's Goldstar Airlines appeals for presidential intervention". Ch-aviation. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  6. "Goldstar Airlines to stage massive protest against GCAA". GhanaWeb. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  7. "Minister orders GCAA to inspect Goldstar Airlines aircraft after impasse". GhanaWeb. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  8. "Goldstar Airlines prepares to train cabin crew". Ghana News Agency. 3 January 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  9. Eduku, Pius (29 June 2016). "Goldstar Air to begin operations by 2016 third quarter". citibusinessnews. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  10. "Goldstar Air to brief the press on company's operations". GhanaWeb. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  11. Ansah, Kobina (14 July 2016). "Goldstar Air to use Diamond Hanger at London Stansted Airport". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  12. "Goldstar Air purchases three aircrafts [sic]". GhanaWeb. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  13. "GCAA warns against dealing with GoldStar, Global Ghana Air". ch-aviation. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  14. https://www.facebook.com/107537281121790/posts/107590507783134/
  15. Dron, Alan (7 November 2016). "New African airline sets sights on Baltimore". Air Transport World. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  16. https://www.graphic.com.gh/business/business-news/goldstar-air-honours-chief-imam.html
  17. https://goldstreetbusiness.com/2020/general-news/goldstar-ceo-receives-most-inspiring-personality-in-aviation-award/
  18. http://gnnliberia.com/2020/10/04/ghanaian-carrier-goldstar-air-honours-the-president-of-liberia/
  19. https://africaneyereport.com/goldstar-air-to-name-aircraft-after-chief-imam-akufo-addo-mahama-kufuor-rawlings/
  20. http://gnnliberia.com/2020/10/04/ghanaian-carrier-goldstar-air-honours-the-president-of-liberia/
  21. https://africaneyereport.com/goldstar-air-to-name-aircraft-after-chief-imam-akufo-addo-mahama-kufuor-rawlings/
  22. https://www.gh-aviation.com/11/61/goldstar-air-emerges-most-promising-airline-of-the-year-at-the-quality-excellence-awards
  23. https://www.kyfilla.com/06/eric-bannerman-ceo-of-goldstar-air-receives-most-inspiring-personality-award-in-aviation/
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