Ghana Aviation Industry thrived amidst Ebola outbreak

Despite the crippling effect of the Ebola outbreak on air transport in 2014, the aviation industry in Ghana recorded a passenger throughput of 2,369,538, resulting in Ghana being ranked the 19th busiest airport in Africa by the Airports Council International.

In the same year, Ghana recorded a cargo throughput of 54,383, registering a position of seventh in Africa by the Airports Council International.

Mr. Tony Lithur, Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), said this in his review for the year 2014, at the third Annual General Meeting of the GACL, in Accra.

He said following the company’s consistent strategy of growing revenue and managing costs in the face of a highly competitive business environment, the GACL’s financial performance improved from GH?19.1million in 2013 to a net profit of GH?184.1 million in 2014.

“In 2014, we deepened our commitment to the enrichment of the customer experience at the Kotoka International Airport and other airports in the country, with the introduction of development projects and improved services, which provided for competitive options in today’s contemporary business environment,” he said.

Mr. Lithur mentioned the recent introduction of VAT on domestic air tickets, as a development that has “taken air travel out of the range of ordinary Ghanaians because of the increased cost to the traveller”.

He said the reduced traffic, was likely to hurt domestic airline operators and affect the sustainability of their operations.

Mr. Lithur noted that the investments being made on internal aerodromes would not be realized if domestic airlines cannot operate profitably and have to close down.

“We will continue to engage government in our efforts to bring safe and inexpensive air travel to the door steps of every person,” he said.