Ghana airline banned from entering US

WASHINGTON – Ghana’s state-run airline was barred by US officials from flying into and out of the United States during an investigation of allegations it ignored orders to ground unsafe aircraft and flew on an expired license.

Tuesday’s decision to suspend the airline and the circumstances that led to it are very rare, possibly unprecedented, said Robert Johnson, a transportation department spokesman. “We’re making a decision that we believe is the first of its kind.”In two instances, Ghana Airways used an aircraft that had been ordered grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration because of safety concerns, the department said.The round-trip flights between Ghana and New York and Ghana and Baltimore took place on July 24 and 26, Johnson said.- Nampa-AP”We’re making a decision that we believe is the first of its kind.”In two instances, Ghana Airways used an aircraft that had been ordered grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration because of safety concerns, the department said.The round-trip flights between Ghana and New York and Ghana and Baltimore took place on July 24 and 26, Johnson said.- Nampa-AP