Abena Dapaah addresses the media
Outgoing Minister of Aviation, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, says Ghana’s aviation sector has undergone tremendous growth owing to the prudent policies of government.
Speaking at the Meet the Press Series organized by the Ministry of Information on Monday in Accra, the Minister indicated that the vision of President Akufo-Addo to make Ghana the aviation hub for West Africa would be attained.
She said international airlines operating in Ghana had increased from 35 to 38, with the new entrants being Air France, Mid Africa Aviation and Air Namibia.
She stated that the domestic passenger throughput recorded in 2017 was 483,261 as against 421,261 recorded in 2016.
“This shows a positive variance of 61,275, representing 14.5 percent compared to the same period in the previous year.”
Ms Dapaah disclosed that the increase in domestic passenger throughput was partly as a result of the abolishment of the 17.5 percent VAT on domestic air fares and other policy initiatives by the government, adding that at the end of the second quarter of this year, domestic passenger throughout stood at 178,007.
International passenger throughput in 2017, she stated, showed an increase of 64,729, representing a 3.71 percent compared to the previous year figure of 1,746,699.
She said “this is as a result of the Africa World Airlines new route to Abuja and Monrovia and the commencement of operations by Air France and Air Peace during the second quarter of 2017.”
Aircraft Movement
Aircraft movement with respect to international aircraft, she said, increased from 24,247 in 2016 to 26,726 in 2017, showing an increase of 2,479, representing 10.22 percent.
According to her, total air freight recorded in 2017 was 50,360 tonnes compared to the recorded figure of 47,678 tonnes in 2016.
“Consequently, Ghana has signed initial BASAs with Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Rwanda and has re-negotiated existing BASAs with other contracting states, including Nigeria,” she indicated.
Projects
She indicated that the Terminal 3 project of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) would be handed over on October 2, 2018.
She said funding has been secured to make Tamale and Kumasi Airports alternatives to KIA to also serve the Sahelien Region.
“Cabinet and Parliamentary approval has been obtained whilst a commercial agreement is yet to be signed. Works involve the construction of a terminal of approximately 5,000 square meters, a multi-purpose facility, which can also be used for Hajj purposes when the need arises, access road, car park and other airport facilities.”
The Minister also explained that the Ho Airport Project in the Volta Region, which seeks to open up the region through efficient movement of people, goods and services, would soon be handed over.
She cited high price of jet fuel, payment of high taxes on the importation of spare parts by domestic operators and inadequate funding as some of the challenges facing the aviation sector.
By Melvin Tarlue