Domestic flights needed to transform airports

Takoradi, Jan. 18, GNA- Mrs Gloria Akuffo, Minister of Aviation on Friday said domestic flight services would be expanded if there was an increase in the demand for it.

She said this during an inspection tour of ongoing works at the Takoradi Airport.

Mrs Akuffo said the Ministry and the Ghana Civil Aviation were ready to certify and license any local or foreign airline that was ready to work in improving domestic flights. "Presently domestic flights are on the lower side and if we are able to patronise it then we are safe", she added. She inspected the VIP lounge, runway, arrival and departure terminals, condition of the trolleys and interacted with the Customs Excise and Preventive Service personnel (CEPS) and Immigration Officers stationed at the airport.

She said the ongoing works had led to an improvement of facilities at the Takoradi, Tamale and Kumasi airports. Mrs Akuffo said the fence wall and access roads leading to the airport would be completed before the end of Ghana 2008. She said three projects estimated at 45 million United States Dollars are expected to be completed by June this year. Air Commodore Mike Sampson Oje, Station Commander of the Takoradi Air force Station said some farmers who farm on portions of their land near the runway have relocated to another place, while a partial fencing had been done to ward off intruders.

He said the Air Force had greatly benefited from the works, which would also improve their services.