New airport good but...

Stakeholders in the aviation industry have welcomed Government’s plans to construct a new international airport in the Dangme East District of the Greater Accra Region, but have cautioned that any such development must incorporate modern and efficient means of transport to and from the airport.

Speaking to the B&FT about the new development, Gloria Yirenkyi, Country Manager of South African Airways, said: “The project is welcome, but in my opinion it would be good if we have a few things in the form of transport to get to the airport.

If there are no underground trains and good transport system, we will have problems accessing that airport both on arrival and departure as there is almost always traffic on the [Tema] motorway.

“A new airport is good but it will be excellent if we have a good transport and rail system to link the airport,” she said.

Mr. Worlanyo Afadzinu, Country Manager, ASKY Airlines also concurs: “It is a good, but we need a good transport system linking the airport to the city centre and other district and regional capitals.”

Government last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the China Airports Construction Corporation (CACC) to undertake a feasibility study for construction of the proposed new international airport in the Dangme East District.

The estimated cost of construction for the new airport is expected to be known after completion of the feasibility study, which Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) sources say will take about 18 months.

The country urgently needs to develop its long-envisaged international airport in the Dangme East District to ease mounting pressure on Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and to sustain the country’s status as a business hub in West Africa.

“Airlines jostling for space at KIA keep asking what we’re doing about the challenge,” Transport Minister Dzifa Ativor said when she led a high-powered industry team including Mrs. Doreen Owusu-Fianko, the MD of Ghana Airports Company, and officials of Ghana Civil Aviation (GCAA) and Ministry of Roads and Highways to inspect land earmarked for the project at Ningo, in the Dangme East District.

The sector Minister assured that the 16,000-acre land, which is about an hour’s drive from Accra, will be duly acquired by Government.