Government is to invest more in aviation infrastructure to ensure that the necessary facilities and infrastructure are in place to match the increased growth in air traffic, Ms. Cecilia Dapaah, Aviation Minister has said.
International passenger throughput increased by 3.6 percent in 2017, from 1,746,699 at the end of 2016 to 1,811,429 as at the end of 2017.
Domestic passenger throughput also increased from 37,000 in January to 39,000 in December 2017. The first quarter international and domestic passenger figures also portend an increase in traffic.
Ms. Dapaah, speaking at the launch of the 12th edition of Routes Africa Conference, which will be held in Accra, Ghana, from July 16-18 said: “Indeed, completion of the new Terminal 3 designed to accommodate 5 million passengers a year and process 1,200 passengers in an hour speaks volumes of government’s determination to improve services in the sector.
“The cardinal focus of this current administration is therefore to ensure the aviation industry is given the needed boost to position its strategically among its competitors in the sub-region and beyond.”
She added: “I am confident that the Routes Africa event will create the needed opportunity for networking and exchange of ideas. It will also provide a forum for the media and other stakeholders to project Ghana in a positive light”.
Mr. John D. Attafuah, Managing Director-GACL, said: “GACL’s association with Routes dates back about fifteen years, while we’ve had the opportunity to participate in several Routes conferences abroad. We believe that hosting the 12th Routes Africa Conference will present another unique opportunity to showcase the potential of Ghana’s aviation industry, and signal to influential aviation stakeholders that Kotoka International Airport is indeed the port of choice for safe, fast and efficient facilitation of Passengers, Aircraft and Cargo.
“We look forward to operationising Terminal 3 in the coming months, in fulfilment of our mission of providing world-class airport facilities and services, and government’s vision of positioning Ghana as the Preferred Aviation hub and Leader in Airport Business in the West African sub-region.”
He added: “GACL will continue to work together with the Ministry of Aviation, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and all stakeholders to achieve the vision we have set for ourselves. We look forward to attracting more airlines and other aviation-related businesses as a result of hosting the 12th Routes Africa Conference and by virtue of Ghana’s unique geographical location at the centre of the world – from where nowhere is too far, with the right connectivity”.
The 12th edition of the Routes Africa, the longest-standing and most established aviation forum on the continent, will be held in Accra, Ghana, from July 16-18 and hosted by Ghana Airports Company Limited.
The event is expected to bring together leading airlines, airports and tourism authorities to discuss air services to, from and within Africa.
By uniting the region’s key decision-makers, Routes Africa provides an effective platform for key decision-makers to update their industry knowledge, discuss potential and existing air services, and network with industry influencers.
