Logistics Update Africa — January 24, 2018

10 LUA JAN - FEB 2018

W

hen the first African Airshow

at Kotoka International

Airport kicked off in

October 2017, the Ghana

government’s zeal and increased emphasis

on presenting the region as the next

aviation hub in West Africa was noticeably

felt. Addressing the opening session of

the airshow and exhibition, President

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo invited

all to take advantage of the prevailing

friendly environment and invest in the

rapidly growing aviation sector. He said

the government had successfully created

the right conditions for the private sector

to thrive in the aviation industry in order

to propel growth and create employment,

especially for the youth.

With the government’s push, Kotoka

International Airport (KIA), the country’s

only international airport, is fast becoming

the regional hub for air travel in West

Africa. Out of the first two passenger

terminals, Terminal 1 serves primarily

domestic and regional operators, while

Terminal 2 serves international and long-

haul operators.

However, it was the rapidly growing

passenger traffic that called for a third

terminal to be built at the airport. The

construction of the terminal is expected

to make the country a destination of

choice with a yearly target of 5 million

passengers. The project has been funded

by the African Development Bank (AfDB)

with a $120-million facility. “This terminal

kOtOkA AIRpORt

BRinging PARAdigm shiFt

in WEst AFRiCAn AviAtion

foCuS

With the thrust from government, Kotoka Airport, Ghana’s only international

airport, is upgrading its infrastructure to match with international standard

bringing a sea change in West Africa’s aviation landscape. The airport is already

witnessing an influx of passengers and cargo traffic, Shreya Bhattacharya reports.

Terminal 3, Kotoka International Airport source: ghana Airports Company Limited