Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) is preparing to revamp and enhance Terminal 2 at Kotoka International Airport to accommodate both domestic and international passengers.
Sources familiar with the project report that this redesign is intended to facilitate the transfer of all African-registered airlines from the more advanced Terminal 3 (T3) to Terminal 2 (T2).
To handle both types of passengers effectively, GACL plans significant upgrades to T2, particularly to ensure proper segregation of domestic and international travellers.
However, this proposed shift has been met with opposition from the affected airlines, which argue that it would give an unfair advantage to other competitors operating out of the more modern and spacious T3.
Despite this resistance, GACL is determined to proceed with the plan, citing the need for operational efficiency and better management of the airport’s growing passenger traffic.
GACL September meeting with airlines
The Ghana Airports Company Limited in September informed airlines servicing the KIA that it plans to relocate all regional airlines from Terminal 3 (T3) to T2 as part of efforts to “decongest” T3 and revitalize T2 of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
The exercise targets African-registered airlines including EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines SAA, RwandAir, Air Cote D’Ivoire, ASKY Airlines, Ibom Air, Air Peace, and Africa World Airlines (AWA) among others.
The GACL tabled an effective date of December 1, 2024. The affected airlines, on the other hand, raised issues about the short time frame and the need to ensure that facilities at Terminal 2 were up to the highest standard since their passengers also pay a significant amount as Airport Passenger Service Charge as their other African and non-African carriers.
Background
On Monday, October 8, 2018, domestic airline operations at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra were relocated from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, which had previously served international flights. This shift was prompted by the successful transition of all international flights from Terminal 2 to the newly built Terminal 3.
As a result, passengers traveling between Accra and regional destinations with operational airports, such as Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale, Sunyani, and Wa, were now required to go through check-in and boarding procedures at Terminal 2.
Meanwhile, Terminal 1, which had previously been used for domestic flights, was leased to McDan Aviation Ghana Limited for Private Jet services and operations as a Fixed Base Operator (FBO).