…flight to resume operation in Oct
The Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, has indicated that rehabilitation and expansion work on the first phase of Sunyani’s airport, is near complete (94 percent), and would be opened for flights to resume operation by end of October.
According to the minister, the first phase with specific scope including rehabilitation of the runway, taxi-link, the apron and the renovation of the terminal building is progressing steadily with the contractor still on site and hoping to complete work by end of October.
“The project, which was impacted by COVID-19, has thankfully received some improvements in cash flow. As I speak the contractor is on site and work is scheduled to be completed by the end of October this year,” he said.
The minister made these remarks answering questions on the floor of parliament, as Member of Parliament for Dormaa West, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, expressed worry about the impact of the closed airport on businesses in the Bono Region and other neighboring regions.
In March 2016, commercial airline operations to the Sunyani Airport were halted by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), due to general poor nature of the airfield pavement (runway) among others. Consequently, the transport ministry through GACL, initiated a two-phase project to get the facility back in fine shape.
In addition, he elaborated that the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) has granted approval for the continuation of the phase-two. The phase-two seeks to expand existing terminal and open up the airport for full commercial operations and access by other aircrafts that require a fairly longer runway.
In a similar vein, MP for Wa Central, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, enquired from the Transport Minister when commercial flights to Wa will resume.
Mr. Asiamah in response indicated that there was a halt in flight to the Wa airport because the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), identified some obstacles on the facility which does not comply with its established series of Obstacle Limited Surface (OLS) standards that defines the limit to which objects may project or penetrate the airspace of an airport.
However, he stated that as at July 19, 2021, the obstructions have been removed, making it possible for flight to resume operations to the regional airport.
“Africa World Airlines (AWA), who use to operate the route, can now safely operate to Wa without any significant safety hazard on the approach. My information is that Passion Air has also indicated that they will commence operations into Wa Airport in October 2021,” he said.
