UK Seizes McDan’s Aircraft over non-payment of Debt

The demons that are chasing after the McDan Group Of Companies appear to be multiplying by the day as it is emerging that one of the aircrafts in the McDan Fleet, has been impounded by a UK aircraft service provider (NAME WITHHELD) for unpaid service charges owed them.

Industry sources say the aircraft in question, (T7 McDan) named after the CEO and registered in the Italian island of San Marino, Ghana on the 7th of December 2024 and landed in London Southend Airport, UK the same day. It has since been sitting  there till date.

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).

McKorley’s substantial financial support of the NPP’s election campaign in 2016, along with controversial dealings such as smuggling South African operatives to influence election outcomes, have raised serious ethical questions about his business practices.

Moreover, McDan’s dubious leasehold contract for the Ada Songor salt lagoon has sparked public outrage over the company’s use of police force to enforce its interests against local communities.

In response to the mounting debt crisis, GACL has taken a firm stance against McDan Company Limited, highlighting the company’s failure to meet its financial obligations for various properties and services at Kotoka International Airport.

Despite partial payments made by McDan, the outstanding debts and revenue shares remain a significant concern for airport authorities.

As McDan’s financial troubles escalate and legal battles loom on the horizon, the future of the once formidable business empire hangs in the balance.

The once towering empire of Daniel McKorley, head of the McDan Group, is facing a severe crisis as reports emerge of crippling debt and financial mismanagement within the conglomerate’s subsidiaries.

Sources reveal that the McDan Group, comprising McDan Shipping, McDan Aviation, Electrochem Ghana Limited, Q3, and Eagle Salt, is teetering on the brink of liquidation due to mounting financial burdens.

Stay tuned as further developments unfold in this unfolding saga of financial mismanagement and questionable practices within the McDan Group.

Source: thenewrepublicgh.com