The Republic of Ghana and a new U.S. consortium, GIA-USA, have announced that agreements have been signed to create a new national air carrier called Ghana International Airlines.

SkyWest Airlines founder J. Ralph Atkin will head the new executive management team.

Kotoka International Airport in Accra will serve as its hub. Flight operations for the new airline will begin in the second quarter of 2005; the airline is investigating potential codeshare options. Tickets are expected to go on sale sometime in the March or April 2005 timeframe. Right now, the airline is negotiating for the necessary aircraft to implement its business plan; it would like to start initially with between eight and 10 wide-body and narrow-body aircraft. (SY)