McDan Aviation, which is suffering a shutdown of its Private Jet Terminal by management of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) over a $3 million owed GACL, is asking for “constructive engagement” for an amicable resolution of the matter.
The management of GACL today restricted access to the private jet services terminal at the Terminal 1 of Kotoka International Airport (KIA) over an accumulated debt which comprises land leases, rentals, and terminal charges.
This is the second time McDan Aviation, a subsidiary of the McDan Group, has faced such a shutdown of the private terminal, which was launched in January 2022 amidst controversy. In February 2022, GACL indefinitely barred McDan Aviation from operating its private jet services following operational breaches.
In a statement after the today’s shutdown, the company described the move by GACL as unexpected, particularly as discussions to resolve related issues are ongoing.
The statement signed by the CEO, Kwaku Ampronfi, expressed disappointment over the action by GACL, but indicated the company’s commitment “to constructive engagement with GACL to reach an amicable resolution.”
The statement explained that the company acknowledges its financial obligations concerning the operation of the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) terminal and noted that it has made significant payments in the past.
Additionally, it said a payment was made last week, with plans to resume further payments in January 2025. The company, however, refuted claims that it owes GACL $3 million for the terminal, describing such reports as erroneous.
The statement also highlighted a separate legal dispute involving a parcel of land acquired from GACL, which is currently under litigation due to claims from a third party. McDan Aviation stated that it had informed GACL that payments related to this parcel would be withheld until the court proceedings are resolved.
“It is regrettable that GACL has chosen to take this line of action, particularly when the matters at hand are not interconnected,” said it said.
McDan Aviation launched its private jet terminal and services on January 28, 2022, but the event was boycotted by key figures in the aviation sector, including the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, and officials from the Ghana Airports Company Limited, who raised concerns about the company’s operations.
