Today in History: 4 times huge aircrafts have made historic landings in Ghana

The tarmacs of Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and Kumasi International Airport have received large aircraft over the years.

The landing of the A380 double-decker showcased KIA's ability to handle the world's largest aircraft."

Read the full story published by GhanaWeb on April 29, 2024

In the last seven years, Ghana has welcomed a significant number of aircraft fleet at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and Kumasi International Airport.

In 2018, Ghana saw the successful landing and takeoff of the Airbus A380 operated by Emirates. This marked the first time a commercial aircraft of this kind had landed at Terminal 3 of Kotoka International Airport, as a one-time service to the new terminal.

The landing of the A380 double-decker showcased the airport's ability to handle the world's largest aircraft. The special Emirates A380 flight was piloted by Ghanaian Captain Solomon Quainoo and UAE national First Officer Faisal Alhammadi.

Additionally, on September 29, 2022, history repeated itself when another A380 operated by British Airways landed in Ghana for the second time at KIA. This landing further demonstrated Ghana Airports Company Limited's (GACL) capability to handle some of the largest passenger aircraft in the world.

Most recently, in 2023, US Vice President Kamala Harris made a historic visit to Ghana in Air Force 2 during an official trip. Air Force 2 is the official call sign for any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the Vice President.

The impressive jet was parked at KIA for three days.

The latest addition to the growing list of arrivals in Ghana was the Airbus A320 operated by EgyptAir.

This airliner arrived on April 25, 2024, at the newly-renovated Kumasi International Airport, transporting the Egyptian football team, Zamalek, who came to Kumasi to play against Ghana's Dreams FC.

According to AviationGhana.com, this is the third successful landing and takeoff of an A320 at the airport since 2019.

During a recent tour of the new Kumasi International Airport, Minister of Transport Kwaku Ofori Asiamah mentioned that the facility is scheduled to be inaugurated in May of this year, with full operation expected by the end of June 2024.

Expansion works are planned to extend the runway from 1994m to 2,300m to accommodate larger planes beyond the A320 and B737.



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