Ghana's President John Mahama has held discussions with Boeing about a possible partnership to bring back a national airline for the country, according to 3News.
The talks also covered the idea of setting up a regional hub in Ghana for aircraft maintenance and repair, CitiNewsroom.com reports.
Boeing has indicated that a Ghanaian national carrier could be flying again within 18 months, according to MyJoyOnline. The timeline was reported as an estimate rather than a fixed commitment.
President Mahama has said the proposed airline would look at routes to South America and the Caribbean, GBC Ghana Online reports. That would extend the carrier's reach beyond its home region.
The reported discussions point to a wider plan that pairs a renewed flag carrier with aviation services work, an area that could draw business from airlines across West Africa.
Ghana has been without a national airline since the collapse of Ghana Airways in 2004 and the later failure of Ghana International Airlines. Several attempts to establish a replacement have not lasted, making the current talks notable for the involvement of a major aircraft manufacturer.
Newsghana.com.gh reported that Mahama is courting Boeing for both the airline and the repair hub.
What to watch next: whether Boeing and Ghana's government move from talks to a formal agreement, and whether the 18-month timeline holds.
