New Ghanaian carrier, Goldstar Air plans to start services to Baltimore Washington International (BWI), USA in the first quarter of 2017, according to CEO Eric Bannerman.

Ghana has been without a national long-haul carrier since Ghana Airways ceased operations in December 2015.

The new carrier, which expects to receive its air operator’s certificate in December, plans to start services in February or March 2017, Bannerman told ATW at the World Travel Market in London.

Goldstar Air is considering London Gatwick, Guangzhou and Dubai as its next long-haul destinations, he added.

The airline also plans a network of regional flights serving West African capitals including Dakar, Abidjan and Monrovia from the Ghanaian capital Accra.

He declined to name the new carrier’s backers, but said it would operate two Boeing 737-300s and three Boeing 767-300s. The aircraft would be financed, not leased, he said.