The challenges facing the McDan Group of Companies seem to be intensifying, as reports indicate that one of its aircraft, part of the McDan Fleet, has been seized by a UK-based aircraft service provider (name withheld) over unpaid service charges.
According to industry sources, the aircraft in question, identified as T7-McDan, is named after the CEO and registered in San Marino, Italy.
The plane departed Ghana on December 7, 2024, and landed at London Southend Airport in the UK on the same day. It has reportedly been grounded there ever since.
According insiders, the aircraft which was due for maintenance allegedly has since been grounded by a UK aircraft maintenance company over accrued indebtedness of McDan Aviation.
The T7 McDan is a Nine seater Bombadier Challenger 604 Aircraft.
According to industry players, McDan’s continues operation of the aircraft with a foreign registered AOC impairs compliance supervision of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, something the GCCA has had occasions to query without success due to McDan’s confection.
This development comes at the heel of a move by the Ghana Airport company to shut down the terminal one at the Kotoka international airport which had been leased to McDan as a private terminal and warehouse operations for non-payment of rent and statutory charges.
The Canadair Challenger jet, which had been sent for servicing in the UK, has remained grounded due to the company’s failure to settle its outstanding debts.
McDan Aviation Fleet of Aircraft include, a Seven seater Beechcraft King Air B200 Aircraft with registration 9G- MCD ( Ghana Registered) and on the Operations Specifications and of the Air Operator Certificate ( AOC ), 3.
Six seater Airbus EC 135 T1 Helicopter with registration 9H-MCD ( Malta registered ) but not on the Operations Specifications of the AOC and may not be in Ghana.
In Ghana, the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) is also cracking down on McDan Aviation for unpaid debts, totalling millions of cedis in rentals, electricity bills, and withholding taxes.
Despite repeated demands for payment, McDan Aviation has failed to fulfill its financial obligations, leading to a standoff with airport authorities.
The situation is further complicated by allegations of corruption and illicit activities involving Daniel McKorley and his close ties to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
