New Accra Based Airline
 

Goldstar Airlines, closely associated with Seasons Travel and Tours is widely reported as commencing operations on 13th June 2014 - a charter to Natal for the World Cup supporters. This to be followed by scheduled services to USA, Gatwick and China. CEO Eric Bannerman (a Ghanaian). The operations claim to be starting with a 747-200 ( luxurious 530 seats!!!!), they also claim to have an MD-11 pax.

Does anyone know of anything tangible to substantiate their claims to start by 13th June? Or is this a variation on the 419 scam???

Have any crew been hired - or been asked to participate in wet lease operation?

Eric Bannerman and Seasons Travel and Tours were the organisers of the infamous Ghana-Barbados human trafficking scam in 2008. It was something that unfortunately I got dragged into (my signature was on the application for the charter operator permit in Barbados on behalf of Ghana International Airlines), but managed to avoid being charged/prosecuted over in either Ghana or Barbados.

Eric was not so lucky and the last time I saw him was at Accra Police Headquarters on the wrong side of a set of bars when I was asked to identify him. His associate Frank Duncan was ultimately convicted of fraud, but I don't know if Eric's case eventually went to court or not. To be honest, I was just glad to wash my hands of it after lengthy questioning and many statements!

I am shocked (although I really shouldn't be!) that GCAA granted any organisation related to Eric Bannerman any sort of permit/license given his track record.

Some more background on Eric Bannerman's history :

Efforts Being Made To Bring Home Stranded Ghanaians

GIA Charters Plane For Stranded Passengers

Ghanaian & Nigerian Barbados Scam Uncovered | Barbados Underground

Nuff Said!
 

Sean

Thank you for the information - most grateful and I too will steer well clear. your input truly appreciated!

Goldstar Airlines (Accra) has pushed back its planned launch date from early June to early July owing to what it termed "an unforeseen delay by some authority on some paperwork beyond management control."

Ghanaian longhaul start-up, Goldstar Airlines, delays launch - ch-aviation.com

Just Another crook
 

As thievery and corruption goes Ghana has hit rock-bottom, with the likes of these crooks resurfacing after the disasters of PANAF etc and the authorities allowing them to register a company and try to engage in airline business.

Just shows you how far that country has sunk under the weight of corruption which permeates right from the highest office in that country to the lowest on the streets of Accra.
Steer well clear.