Unicorn secures Air Carrier Licence

October 8, 2014

By Edmund Mingle

Unicorn Air Charter Service, one of the new Ghanaian airlines has secured it Air Carrier Licence (ACL), ahead of its start of flight operations.

George Afful, Unicorn CEO

The ACL paves the way for the airline towards acquiring the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) which is the final authority from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to enable it to commence commercial operations.

The certification process for the AOC, which take about 60 days for small airlines, is underway, and if the company is successful, it will add to the increasing number of local airlines operating in the regional aviation industry.

Mr. Abdulai Alhassan, Acting Director General of GCAA, handing over the ACL to the management of the airline at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra yesterday, described Unicorn’s acquisition of the ACL as “another milestone on the growth and development of the aviation industry in Ghana.”

That, he said, was in line with the government’s objective of making Ghana a safe and preferred regional hub to promote regional integration and connectivity.

“This is made possible with the establishment of vibrant and sustainable airlines, coupled with the development of news airline routes, infrastructure and capacity improvement,” he said.

In that regard, he said the Authority, remained committed to the airline operators by providing capacity building support.

He announced that the GCAA would soon commission its modern Aviation Training Academy complex to enhance its training operations towards improving standards in the industry in the sub-region, adding that advanced navigational equipment and facilities have also been procured and installed for promote safety.

He commended the management of Unicorn Air for the achievement, and urged it to do well to satisfy the conditions to be able to obtain the AOC.

A subsidiary of UHI Holdings, Unicorn Air Charter Services aims aims at offering charters flights services for business, sports and medical evacuation purposes, and other ancillary services.

Mr. George N. Afful, Chief Executive Officer of Unicorn Air, who received the licence, thanked the GCAA for the support and cooperation, and pledged to abide by the terms and conditions of the ACL, and deploy the highest safety and quality standards in all their operations.

“Unicorn Air is currently undergoing the certification for the AOC in fulfilment of GCAA’s requirement prior to the commencement of commercial flight operations using our HS-125 800XP aircraft,” he said.

UHI Holdings is one of Ghana's thriving firms with holdings in haulage & logistics, microfinance, security services, wholesale & retail of mineral water, and business development consultancy.