Aviation Ghana stakeholders raise concerns over Airport Infrastructure Development Charge

The Aviation Ghana Breakfast Meeting, held on February 10, 2025, brought together key aviation stakeholders to discuss critical issues affecting Ghana’s aviation industry.

Among the major topics was the Airport Infrastructure Development Charge (AIDC), a government initiative aimed at funding major airport infrastructure projects across Accra and the regional airports.

The AIDC, which was passed into law by Parliament of Ghana in December 2025, is designed to support several strategic projects, including the construction of a connecting concourse between Terminals 2 and 3 at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

This project is expected to deliver seamless airside transfers, enhance transfer efficiency, and align Accra’s airport experience with global hub standards.

Other projects earmarked under the AIDC include the construction of a 10-aircraft-capacity parking bay known as the Northern Apron, scheduled to re-start this year after a 4 year suspension of the project due to lack of funds, as well as a 2,000-capacity multi-storey car park at KIA Terminal 3 to ease vehicular congestion.

Stakeholders also discussed rehabilitation works at Sunyani Airport, where arriving and departing passengers currently share the same space with a relatively short runway only allowing small bodied aircrafts to land. A participant noted that this arrangement is not compliant with ICAO standards.

Additionally, plans for the construction of new airports in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region and Wa in the Upper West Region were highlighted.

Speaking at the 5th Aviation Ghana Breakfast Meeting, the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, explained that revenue generated from the AIDC—US$100 for international passengers and GHS100 for domestic passengers—would be paid into a dedicated fund and escrow account managed by the Ministry of Transport.

She emphasised that the fund is earmarked strictly for airport infrastructure development nationwide.

Citing the construction of Terminal 3 as an example, Opare stressed the long-term benefits of infrastructure investment to Ghana’s aviation industry and air travelers.

“Can you imagine if Terminal 3 had not been built and we were still relying solely on Terminal 2?” she asked.

She noted that infrastructure expansion comes at a cost and urged accountability to ensure projects are completed on schedule.

“Once the evidence of these developments—connecting concourses, car parks, and new facilities—is visible to all, passengers who use them will better appreciate the value of the investment,” she added.

Other industry stakeholders, including the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company, emphasized the importance of enhancing passenger experience through improved customer service.

He noted that world-class airport facilities would attract increased passenger traffic and position Ghana as a preferred destination.

In his remarks, the Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) encouraged collaboration among stakeholders, airport authorities, and government agencies to realize the vision of making Ghana the aviation hub of the sub-region.