The U.S. Trade and Development Agency on Wednesday announced grant funding for a feasibility study to support the development of an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (“MRO”) facility at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Ghana. The grant was awarded to Ghana’s Aerojet Aviation Limited, which selected New York-based Alton Aviation Consultancy to conduct the study.
“USTDA’s partnership with Aerojet will strengthen West Africa’s aviation sector by creating the region’s first MRO facility and training center,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Acting Director. “This will be a critical resource for regional airlines, and it will create opportunities for U.S. companies to supply innovative technologies that will allow the facility to be truly state-of-the-art.”
USTDA’s study will include a detailed design and layout for the facility, as well as evaluate different business and revenue models, sustainable energy options, operational plans, and other factors that will help attract financing to the project.
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“Having an MRO at KIA presents Ghana with the opportunity to cement its position as a regional and global leader in the aviation sector and boost regional economic growth, safety, security and mobility,” said Stephanie S. Sullivan, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana.
Mazisi Parkes, Chief Executive Officer at Aerojet Aviation, commented: “We are excited about this project and grateful to the USTDA for agreeing to support the development of the MRO. The state-of-the-art facility to be developed at KIA in Accra will serve as a Centre of Excellence for the delivery of critical aviation technical support services and contribute to the economic viability of regional airlines as well as national carriers. Of special importance to Aerojet is the establishment of a world-class training center to prepare Africa’s youth for the high-tech aviation jobs of the future.”
Jonathan Berger, Managing Director at Alton Aviation Consultancy, said: “Commercial air transport has the power to transform economies and communities, but it can only do so when reinforced by solid aviation infrastructure, including aircraft maintenance facilities. We look forward to collaborating with USTDA and Aerojet to develop the first world-class MRO operation in West Africa.”
This activity supports the Prosper Africa initiative, a U.S. government initiative to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa.
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