The Ghana Airports Company Limited plans to relocate all regional airlines from Terminal 3 (T3) to T2 as part of efforts to “decongest” T3 and revitalize T2 of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

The exercise targets regional airlines including Air Cote D’Ivoire, ASKY Airlines, Ibom Air, Air Peace, and Africa World Airlines (AWA).

The GACL tabled an effective date of December 1, 2024. The affected airlines, on the other hand, raised issues about the short time frame and the need to ensure that facilities at Terminal 2 were up to the highest standard since their passengers also pay a significant amount as Airport Passenger Service Charge as their other African and non-African carriers.

For instance, a passenger originating their flights from Accra who purchases an Accra-Lagos-Accra return ticket on AWA, ASKY Airlines, Air Cote D’Ivoire, or Air Peace, pays GHC 948 for the use and services provided by the GACL at the Kotoka International Airport as Airport Passengers Service Charge.

AviationGhana.Com sources say the meeting, though fruitful, was inconclusive as the affected airlines requested for a “detailed operational plan” about the relocation exercise before making any decision.

Relocation to Save 'Ghost' Terminal

Upon entry into the departure hall of Terminal 2 of Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport, one would immediately notice the vast unused spaces at the facility that is now used for only domestic operations.

The facility, which used to serve as the main terminal for international flights until October 8, 2018, is currently largely underutilised. Airport authorities have been banking on the steady growth in domestic passenger throughput to put the facility to optimal use.

In 2023, the two main domestic airline operators—Africa World Airlines and PassionAir– transported 17,786 via Terminal 2 to and from Kumasi, Tamale, Wa, Sunyani, and Takoradi.

Background

Domestic airline operations at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra, were moved from Terminal 1 of the facility to Terminal 2, which was previously used for international operations effective on Monday, October 8, 2018.

This follows the successful migration of all international operations from Terminal 2 to the newly- constructed Terminal 3 of the KIA.

Passengers traveling between Accra and regional capitals with functioning airports, including Takoradi, Kumasi, Tamale, Sunyani, and Wa, were required to complete departure formalities and board their flights at Terminal 2 due to these changes.

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