GACL Chair warns of runway downgrade and sewage crisis at Accra Airport

James Agalga, Chairman of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating infrastructure at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, citing risks of a runway downgrade and an impending sewage crisis. He emphasized that without urgent investments, the airport's status as a key regional hub is under threat, highlighting the critical need for upgrades to prevent operational failures, according to multiple reports from MyJoyOnline.

To address these challenges, GACL has introduced an Airport Infrastructure Development Levy (AIDL) on all travelers, aimed at funding projects such as runway refurbishment, apron expansion, and the construction of a multi-storey car park. Agalga assured that these projects have a targeted completion timeline of 24 months and insisted the levy would not unduly burden passengers, despite concerns about rising travel costs and competitiveness, as detailed in GACL statements.

Beyond Accra, Agalga spotlighted the financial difficulties faced by regional airports, which currently depend on subsidies from Accra International Airport to stay operational. He pointed out strong investor interest in developing Ho Airport in the Volta Region into an aviation training and maintenance hub, a strategic initiative designed to diversify aviation services and boost regional economic activity, with commercial operations planned to begin soon.

The development of Ho Airport, built at an estimated cost of $25 million, is positioned as a long-term investment for Ghana's aviation sector, focusing on cargo, passenger traffic, and training facilities. GACL's leadership argues that this approach supports broader economic goals, including tourism growth and technical skill development in the aviation industry, reinforcing the airport's strategic importance.

Going forward, the success of GACL’s infrastructure levy and regional airport projects will be critical in maintaining Ghana's aviation competitiveness and preventing further decline at Kotoka International Airport. Stakeholders will closely monitor the levy’s impact on passenger volumes, the progress of upgrades within the 24-month timeframe, and the realization of Ho Airport’s potential as an aerospace training hub.