The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has revealed plans to move all regional airlines from Terminal 3 (T3) to Terminal 2 (T2) at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
This decision aims to “decongest” Terminal 3 and bring new life to Terminal 2.
The airlines affected by this move include Air Cote D’Ivoire, ASKY Airlines, Ibom Air, Air Peace, and Africa World Airlines (AWA), which currently operate regional routes.
GACL has set December 1, 2024, as the target date for this relocation. However, the airlines raised concerns regarding the short timeline and questioned whether the facilities at Terminal 2 would meet the standards expected by passengers, who pay a substantial Airport Passenger Service Charge, similar to their counterparts on both African and non-African airlines.
To illustrate, passengers flying round-trip from Accra to Lagos on airlines like AWA, ASKY, Air Cote D’Ivoire, or Air Peace are charged GHC 948 for the services and use of facilities at KIA under the Airport Passenger Service Charge.
According to sources from AviationGhana.com, while discussions between the airlines and the GACL were productive, no final decision was reached. The airlines have requested a “detailed operational plan” for the relocation before committing to the move.
Relocation to Save ‘Ghost’ Terminal
Upon entering the departure hall of Terminal 2 at Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport, one is immediately struck by the vast, underutilized spaces, now reserved primarily for domestic flights.
This terminal, once the hub for international travel until October 8, 2018, remains largely underused. Airport officials are hoping to maximize its potential through the gradual growth of domestic passenger traffic.
In 2023, the two leading domestic carriers—Africa World Airlines and PassionAir—handled 17,786 passengers at Terminal 2 on routes to and from Kumasi, Tamale, Wa, Sunyani, and Takoradi.
Background
Domestic flight operations at Accra’s Kotoka International Airport (KIA) were officially relocated from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, previously designated for international flights, on Monday, October 8, 2018.
This change came after all international flights successfully transitioned from Terminal 2 to the newly built Terminal 3 at KIA.
As a result, passengers flying between Accra and regional capitals with operational airports—such as Takoradi, Kumasi, Tamale, Sunyani, and Wa—were now required to complete their departure procedures and board at Terminal 2.