Ghana airways

Just checked Airliners.net and wrote reg’s and dates.

Funny Rumour that.

I’ve been talking to someone down south about revitalising the Ghana livery. Last it was mentioned was in September 2003.

I’ll chase him up and see what “news” he has.

ANA, ANC, and PHN do not appear to be presently operational according to all my books and listings. Where do you see otherwise Jeansk?

That’s why I said these are newly acquired out of the desert!! now they have SIX if you do’nt believe go and count the reg’s.

Although I think they are down to 3 DC10s now: ANB ANE and AND

And a recent picture of 2004 with 9G-ANE seen at Dusseldorf in full colors.

I countved the registrations, and Ghana airways currently operates six DC-10-30’s
9G-ANA
9G-ANB
9G-ANC
9G-AND (EX-American Airlines from Mojave)
9G-ANE (EX-American Airlines from Mojave)
9G-PHN

The aircraft pictured is 9G-AND seen at Dusseldorf.

This MD 11 is seen in Miami 1994. After this it was flown by World Airways and then leased to CityBird for a short period in 1997. The lessor is probably WA.

This Bristol Britannia is seen in 1963 in Heathrow. They continued to operate them untill the end of the sixties (I suppose).

Originally posted by Mark L
I always think those DC10s are going to fall apart whenever I see them overflying my house, that picture there shows them looking their best!

Yes they look rickety:D

With the picture…

This aircraft is seen in Detroit in the late 1970ies to return to the owner Hawaiian air (they leased an aircraft from an airline on the other side of the world:rolleyes: ). Nowadays they still operate DC9 series 50.

I always think those DC10s are going to fall apart whenever I see them overflying my house, that picture there shows them looking their best!

This pic is taken in 1990 in Accra Kotoka Airport.

They operated this type in the seventies untill the beginning of the eighties, and then acquired ex-klm Dc10’s (I think).

Happy now? from www.Ghanaweb.com

Ghana Airways Fleet Renewal
By: Dzakuma, Asiwome O., (2003-03-08)

While several Ghanaian bureaucrats believe Ghana Airways has gloomy chances of survival without foreign takeover, many African airlines are emerging aviation powers. Airlines namely Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airlines, Air Zimbabwe, and Air Mauritius, resurfaced from gloomy pasts like Ghana Airways, rising to prominence, after resuscitation through a fleet renewal program. Despite efforts to keep Ghana Airways from stalling, the airlines future truly remains gloomy, unless current management efforts are complemented by fleet overhaul.

All over the world Government and Airline management realize success of airlines business, depends heavily on it’s fleet. Foreign takeover would only be viable through a fleet renewal program. A unique industry, service oriented and seasonal reliant, the Airline industry is capital and labor intensive (massive amount of investment and experts) Contrary to popular expectation airline profit is marginal between 1 to 2 percent. In light of this, business oriented airlines adopt several strategies to boast profit. In today’s competitive aviation market place, aircraft selection is perhaps the most important aspect of an airlines overall financial success. Airlines decide on what type of aircraft to purchase or lease, the number of aircraft needed in its fleet to support projected demand and markets they serve. Considering it’s sensitivity these decisions are not made hastily, or by one top manager.

Decisions involve professionals from many departments such as flight operations, marketing, finance, human resources and the environmental department within the airline. In fleet planning many factors are addressed: The airlines cooperate objective, National strategic consideration, an examination of crew availability and capability, global economic projections, competitor’s business strategy, potential alliance partners, finally lease or purchase options. Individual aircrafts are then carefully studied, evaluated and acquired.
Ghana Airways may have purchased its current fleet of DC 9 and DC 10’s as a means of leverage while other African nations purchased or leased newer and modern aircraft. Had they opted for new aircraft, the depreciation unit would have been four to five times the ownership cost of used aircraft currently making up Ghana airways fleet. A strategy once employed by low cost – high frequency airlines. In Ghana’s case this was gross miscalculation. It’s obvious fleet planners of Ghana Airways sidestepped several important considerations, while implementing it’s last fleet expansion program.
Today Ghana airways, operates a fleet of obsolete and counter productive aircrafts. As far back as 1992 airlines aggressively embarked on phasing out these obsolete birds. Today very few airlines operate these aircraft, the few that do, operate them on large economies of scale and integration of modern and highly efficient aircrafts. Ironically Ghana airways purchased many of it’s fuel guzzlers during the mid 1990’s when they were history to several airlines. The crippling financial state of Ghana airway can be attributed to these aircrafts in the airlines inventory. An alternative to the DC 10 would drastically have cut fuel cost eliminated it’s 3 man crew requirement and all associated cost of salaries, per dium, housing as well as regular recurrent training stipulated by ICAO regulations. Servicing, maintenance and long down times for these obsolete fleet desires much to be said. With past corporate blunders, the question is, why would a cash trapped airline lease an obsolete DC 9. To compound matters, Ghana airway wet leased (leased with crew provided by leasing company) its DC 9’s, while its pilots languish. This move can be rationalized if the airline dry leased (lease without crew) the aircraft. Having long outlived their glory DC 9 and 10’s are highly counter productive. In comparison with modern aircraft DC 9s and DC 10’s are generally known for fewer seats, lower load factors, fuel inefficient and an overall low productivity. The counter productive nature of these Aircraft compelled airlines to replace them with different airplanes based on market and route needs.
Typically the 3 engine, 3 man crew DC 10 popular for long haul routes was replaced by the more efficient 2 engine 2 man crew Boeing 767, Airbus A 300-600, A 340 and in more recent times the Boeing 777. A move from the DC 10 to these modern aircraft has saved airlines no less then a 35 percent cut in operating cost. With Boeing 737 and MD 80 replacing the DC 9 airlines realized a good 23 percent increase in productivity. The more recent Boeing 717 manufactured particularly to replace the DC 9 delivers a good 34 percent operating cost advantage. Regional jets popularly known as RJ, boast productivity by 38 to 41 percent depending on type. In addition these newer aircrafts are environmentally friendly, noise compliant and require far less maintenance hours to operate, Results being increased revenue and drastic reduction in operational expenditure.
Fleet renewal does not necessarily imply an outright purchase of modern aircraft, rather eliminating or retiring highly unproductive aircraft and replacing them through leases or lease to purchase options. Considering the current state of Ghana Airways, a more viable option would be long term leases rather then an outright purchase of aircraft. Leasing has become a popular and favorite alternative for several carriers around the world. Overall operations of Ghana Airways can be revamped through a fleet renewal program based on traffic forecast, aircraft need projection, operational cost comparisons involving modern aircraft and strategic national considerations. Best-suited aircraft will eliminate massive ongoing waste and maximize the airlines profit potential while offering passengers the highest standard of flight comfort. It’s impact will lead to substantial improvement in service quality, dramatic increase of flight reliability and massive growth potential for the airline and nation at large.

There was talks of them acquiring some Fokker 100s and leasing an A330 from BMI for part of their restructuring. However these are all still in service with BMI.
An interesting question, and one well worth asking as it has not been in AW or as far as I am aware any of the more prominent web sites. I fail to see how it is any less releveant than any other issues we discuss on this forum though :confused:

Hi Delta Emply, welcome on board!

Jeanske, this forum is to ask questions like that.

I fear I don’t know anything about Ghana Airways’ new fleet. They want one, but have not got one yet. As for the A330s, they must be on a temporary lease from somewhere.

Maybe a bit vague an answer, but that’s all I know.

Fleet renewal blablabla you can find information elsewhere on the internet and in AW.