Goldstar Air

Goldstar Air
IATA ICAO Callsign
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Founded 2014
Hubs Kotoka International Airport (Accra)
Fleet size 3
Company slogan Wings of Ghana
Key people Eric Bannerman, CEO
Website flygoldstar.com

Goldstar Air is an award-winning Ghanaian airline based at Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

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

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.[4] 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.).[5] However, the protest was avoided when Minister for Transport Dzifa Ativor ordered the GCAA to inspect Goldstar Air's aircraft.[6]

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.[7] 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.[8] The airline has secured incentives from Baltimore Airport authorities in preparation for Goldstar Air's planned flights to the airport.[9] Goldstar Air later revealed that it would use the Diamond Hangar FBO at London Stansted Airport as a maintenance facility and employee training school.[10]

In August 2016, Goldstar Air announced that it had purchased three aircraft, which needed to be inspected by the GCAA.[11] 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.[12]

Awards

GoldStar Air was recognised by the Christian Philanthropist Foundation with an International Award in 2017 for its excellent safety, quality, reliability, punctuality, efficiency and costs. [13]

GoldStar Air has also received the award for "Most Promising Airline Of the Year 2017" at the Quality Excellence Awards in Accra based upon customer feedback and satisfaction.[14]

Destinations

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

Fleet

Goldstar Air will operate two Boeing 737-300s and three Boeing 767-300s.[15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Ghanaian start-up, Goldstar, to tap intercontinental market". Ch-aviation. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  2. ↑ Addo, Charles (11 June 2014). "Goldstar Airlines postpone flights to various destinations". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  3. ↑ "Profile on Goldstar Airlines". CAPA - Centre for Aviation. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  4. ↑ "Ghana's Goldstar Airlines appeals for presidential intervention". Ch-aviation. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "Goldstar Airlines to stage massive protest against GCAA". GhanaWeb. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "Minister orders GCAA to inspect Goldstar Airlines aircraft after impasse". GhanaWeb. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  7. ↑ "Goldstar Airlines prepares to train cabin crew". Ghana News Agency. 3 January 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  8. ↑ Eduku, Pius (29 June 2016). "Goldstar Air to begin operations by 2016 third quarter". citibusinessnews. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  9. ↑ "Goldstar Air to brief the press on company's operations". GhanaWeb. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  10. ↑ Ansah, Kobina (14 July 2016). "Goldstar Air to use Diamond Hanger at London Stansted Airport". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  11. ↑ "Goldstar Air purchases three aircrafts [sic]". GhanaWeb. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  12. ↑ "GCAA warns against dealing with GoldStar, Global Ghana Air". ch-aviation. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  13. ↑ https://www.modernghana.com/news/824470/goldstar-air-receives-international-award.html
  14. ↑ https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Goldstar-Air-emerges-Most-Promising-Airline-of-the-Year-607589
  15. 1 2 Dron, Alan (7 November 2016). "New African airline sets sights on Baltimore". Air Transport World. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
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