Kumasi Airport project on-course

Although approval for the Kumasi Airport was obtained as far back as 1940, it was not until 1947 that documentation for land acquisition was completed and paid for.

However by 1943, Kumasi Airport had been completed. The runway was 1200yds (3600ft) long by 150yds (450ft) wide, middle: 50yds (150ft) consolidated for landing and two flanking widths of 50yds (150ft) each for parking.

The Department of Civil Aviation emerged thereafter. The Public Works Department constructed a Control Tower, Terminal Building, RFFS station and Staff Quarters which covered an area of 2-3acres. Additionally, a wireless station which took care of all radios was constructed at Dichemso at a cost of £1,876.16 (Source: PWD, Kumasi Records).

There were extensive developments in 1958 and 1959 by the Ghana government on the runway, navigational facilities and human resource to enhance internal airline operations.The installation of runway and taxiway lights and the extension of the main runway to the southern part in the late 1970’s was another major improvement to the Kumasi Airport.

While the lights enhanced night-flying, the extension of the runway enabled operations of short haul jets like the F28. The building of a new Terminal and installation of a VOR/DME commissioned on 1st December 1993 completed the modernisation process.

In 2003 Kumasi was declared an International Airport, primarily for regional operations with the full complement of Security, Customs and Immigration staff.

Concerns for Renovation The Kumasi Airport is one of the four main airports managed by Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL). About two years ago (October, 2012), serious defects were detected by airport officials on their regular inspection of the 1,981metre runway.

The defects were so glaring that the GACL and the aviation industry regulator, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), took a decision to close the airport for emergency remedial works for a few days.

The airport was re-opened after the remedial works were completed, but concerns for total resurfacing of the runway and provision of the requisite ground-lights and modern navigational equipment’s lingered.

The GACL, this year, contracted PW Ghana to undertake a total resurfacing works at the second-busiest airport in the country. It also contracted ADB Airfield Solutions (ADB), a Belgium-based market-leading airfield technology company, to handle installation of the airfield ground lighting system.

Airfield renovation project The Kumasi Airport is still an active airport notwithstanding the on-going works. The airport is currently open to traffic for 12 hours daily, from 6am to 6pm local time. The two main contractors working on the project start work after the closure of the airport--6pm till 5am the following day. Work is done daily.

The main airfield work involves the total resurfacing of the 1,981metre runway and installation of the airport ground lighting system. The runway resurfacing involves three layers: the regulating course, binding course, and wearing course.The regulating course has been completed. The contractor has only 75 metres more out of the 1,981 metres to cover in respect of the binding course.

The wearing course is expected to be completed after the installation of all ground lighting systems.