Prove that you understand aviation sector before you operate – GACL to MCDan

The Ghana Airport Company Limited GACL, has swiftly directed MCDan, a private airline in Ghana to postpone its inaugural ceremony for further engagement.

The private airline in Ghana had indicated of its plans for an inaugural ceremony of terminal 1 private jet operations on Friday, January 28, 2022.

In a letter dated January 28, 2022, the Ghana Airport Company Limited instructed the private airline to suspend its operation until the company proves that it understands and appreciates how things are supposed to be done in the aviation sector.

”Given all the above reasons, GACL is unable to support the inaugural event at this time. We therefore ask that you postpone the event until we iron out all the necessary issues and you prove to us that you fully understand and appreciate how things are supposed to be done in the aviation sector in the interest of safety and security” the letter stated.

The GACL further raised series of issues that the private airline has refused to do and called for its attention to be ironed out.

”One major example relates to your commencement of construction of the private jet terminal without a Plan of Construction Operation (PcO) approval from GACL”.

Kindly read the full statement below

REQUEST TO POSTPONE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF TERMINAL 1 PRIVATE JET OPERATIONS SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2022

The GACL has noticed with concern your disregard for the norms of doing business in the aviation sector which require strict adherence to safety and security rules. Indeed, you have engaged in several activities without prior approval from GACL which have typically called for emergency corrective actions.

One major example relates to your commencement of construction of the private jet terminal without a Plan of Construction Operation (PcO) approval from GACL We only became aware of your construction activities during routine security patrols, and we had to ask you to stop and submit a PCO for review and approval before construction continued.

And then, we only received your request for logistical support for the inauguration including arrangement for parking and management of approximately 300 invited guests yesterday, January 27, 2022. The nature of our work demands that we should have been given a reasonable period of notice to enable us plan adequately through engagement of relevant staff and stakeholders.

Indeed, all attempts to meet with you for discussions in connection with the proposed inauguration over the past three days failed as a result of your failure to turn up for the planned meetings. Meantime, security was heavily breached at the terminal on January 27, 2022, through the parking of several vehicles in front of the terminal building. What makes this disturbing is that beyond verbal admonition, we had written to you the previous day, January 26, 2022, to the effect that cars could not be parked there.

Given all the above reasons, GACL is unable to support the inaugural event at this time. We therefore ask that you postpone the event until we iron out all the necessary issues and you prove to us that you fully understand and appreciate how things are supposed to be done in the aviation sector in the interest of safety and security.

From GACL to McDan

Kind regards.

Yours Faithfully,
JAW KWAKWA
MANAGING DIRECTOR

Cc
The Hon. Minister, Ministry of Transport, Ministries, Accra.

The Hon. Minister of National Security, Accra.

The National Security Coordinator, Accra.

Group Executive, Airports Management, GACL

Director, Aviation Security, GAC