Ghana seeks international flights for secondary airports | By Dominick Andoh
Ghana seeks to attract major international airlines into two major cosmopolitan secondary cities with large populations.
The Kotoka International Airport, located in the capital Accra, has been the only international airport in the mineral-rich West African country for over six decades.
The airports operator, Ghana Airports Company Limited (GALC), has spent more than £200 million within the last decade to bring the Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi and the Tamale International Airport to international standards.
It is part of its strategic plan to open up the two cities and make flying a much more pleasurable experience for travellers, as well as maximize the on-ground infrastructure.
Work on Phase Two (2) of the Kumasi Airport Project, for instance, began in 2018. It included the construction of a new Terminal Building to handle one million passengers per annum, two boarding bridges, a road network, perimeter fence, a substation, and parking lot among others.
Phase three of the Kumasi Airport Expansion Project involves the extension of the existing runway pavement from 1,981 meters to 2,320 meters, construction of new taxi link and two Apron Parking Stands, an Air Traffic Control Building, and a Fire Station among others.
The Tamale International Airport also has a new airport terminal building, a new longer runway, and all the ancillary amenities needed for it to function as a full-fledged international airport.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Mrs. Yvonne N. A. Opare, speaking during the official launch of ITA Airways’ operations in Ghana, said: ” In line with our mission to provide world-class facilities and services, we recently commissioned the Tamale International Airport and the Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi for both domestic and international operations.
These two markets, noted for their rich culture and traditions, possess immense untapped potential. I want to use this opportunity to invite you all, all the interested airlines, to explore the opportunities in these markets.”
New Ground Handling company for Kumasi and Tamale Airports
Aviance, one of the leading passenger and ground handling companies in Ghana, has officially launched its services in at the Prempeh 1 International Airport, Kumasi, and the Tamale International Airport, respectively.
The roll-out of Aviance’s services at the two airports is part of an operational strategy by the GACL to streamline the operations of the airport in anticipation of the commencement of scheduled international passenger flights.
Aviance is also scheduled to take over the ground handling operations of the two main domestic airlines servicing the newly-renovated Kumasi International Airport, Africa World Airlines (AWA) and PassionAir.
The two domestic airlines currently handle their own ground operations, but as Aviance is set to take over their ground handling operations at no extra cost and absorb their ramp operation staff.
Mark Kamis, Managing Director of Aviance, told AviationGhana that his outfit is delighted to be providing the much-needed ground and passenger handling services at the Kumasi Int. Airport.
“We are excited to expand our ground handling activity to our airline customers in Kumasi and Tamale,” Mr. Kamis said.
First International Airline post-inauguration touches down
Asky Airlines became theì first international airline to land at the new Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi.
Asky’s Boeing 737 landed shortly after 1am local time last Friday with the male Senior National Soccer Team, the Black Stars, on board.
Asky’s Country Manager, Mr. Worlanyo Afadzinu, who welcomed the crew and passengers onboard, noted that the airline is committed to the Ghanaian market and is ready to service the Prempeh I Int. Airport in Kumasi.
The new Kumasi Airport, which was inaugurated on Friday, May 10, 2024, is generating a lot of interest from major international airlines, with at least four currently discussing potential direct flights to the Ashanti Regional capital.
The airlines, based in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, who asked not to be named, have conducted extensive commercial viability of operating direct flights to the Kumasi International Airport, given the limitations of the current runway, and have followed up with formal enquiries to the Ministry of Transport, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Ghana Airports Company Limited respectively.
The Kumasi International Airport currently has a runway length of 1,981m capable of supporting the operations on A319s, A320s, and Boeing 737s.
Ghana seeks international flights for secondary airports | By Dominick Andoh
AviationGhana
