Kotoka Airport expansion on course

The usual congestion and unending queues at the arrival and immigration halls of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is to be reduced significantly by the end of November 2015 due to the ongoing expansion and rehabilitation project at the nation’s premier airport.

Charles Kwame Asare, Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) gave this assurance during a visit by the Minister of Transport Dzifa Aku Ativor to the site to monitor and inspect the project.

Following the influx of foreign airlines into the country, KIA has seen an increase in passenger numbers from 1.5 million in 2012 to 1,669,603 in 2013 for international flights, while domestic passenger numbers increased from 543,379 in 2012 to 778,466 in 2013.

The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) commenced expansion project on the 6,031m2 Terminal 2 arrival hall in June this year, and it is expected to add some 5,148m2 floor area to the existing space.

“The expansion work is very vital to ease congestion at the country’s number one airport. The cost of the whole project is expected to range between $20.4 million $21.4 million. Work is expected to be completed by November 2015,” Charles Asare said.

Engineer in charge of the project, Ben Ayun, reiterated to the minister that the first phase of the project would involve the expansion of the immigration area and the provision of additional desks as well as completion of the terminal area expansion.

“The problematic issues are the immigration and the conveyers, but these will be dealt with as we seek to extend the two carousels and provide another one at the baggage claim area,” he said. “A lift will be provided to the VIP lounge from the arrival hall, while new floors and efficient air-conditioning systems will be installed. Duty free shops, banks and lounges will be provided”

The Minister also inspected the second phase of the project which was already underway. When completed, the two additional top floors would serve as offices for airline and GACL staff. She said other improvements are also being carried out on the air-side of KIA, such as the expansion of the taxiway from 27meters to 60meters in order to accommodate large aircraft such as the Boeing 747-800.

KIA Phase III rehabilitation project is expected to provide a new apron for the airport, aeronautical ground lighting and an extension of the fuel main to the cargo apron to allow cargo aircraft to refuel directly from the cargo apron and not the passenger apron.

In a special interview with the B&FT, the minister said the Prampram Airport project was still on government’s plate although it is a long term project, hence the KIA expansion to accommodate growing traffic awhile. She also assured that government was working on making GCAA an autonomous body in the near future.