President Nana Akufo-Addo and Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II officially inaugurated Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi, formerly known as Kumasi International Airport.

The ceremony, attended by traditional leaders, government officials, and prominent New Patriotic Party figures, took place in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, on Friday, May 10.

As the Prempeh I International Airport becomes operational in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, the United Kingdom (UK) anticipates a surge in freight movement through Ghana’s ports.

British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, envisions this growth being facilitated by the airport’s inauguration, bolstered by existing partnerships between the two nations and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Here are some key features of the airport.

The modern airport has a terminal measuring approximately 12,000 square meters.

At the entrance, visitors are greeted by the sign "nante yie", a phrase wishing them well in their journey.

The airport is said to handle 800,000 passengers per annum, 200 passengers per hour, primarily from the middle and northern belt regions.

The airport had a 4-level security check for the in-flight smuggling of illegal materials and illicit drugs.

Background

There were extensive developments in 1958 and 1959 by the Ghana Government on the runway, navigational facilities and human resource to enhance internal airline operations. The installation of runway and taxiway lights and the extension of the main runway to the southern part in the late 1970’s was another major improvement to the Kumasi Airport.

In 2003, Kumasi was declared an International Airport primarily for regional operations with the full complement of Security, Customs and Immigration staff.

Work on Phase Two (2) of the Kumasi Airport Project began in 2018. It includes the construction of a new Terminal Building to handle one million passengers per annum, two boarding bridges, a road network, perimeter fence, a substation and parking lot among others. The cost of the expansion work is estimated at £66,350,000.

Phase three of the Kumasi Airport Expansion Project involves the extension of the existing runway pavement from 1,981 meters to 2,320 meters, construction of new taxi link and two Apron Parking Stands, an Air Traffic Control Building, and a Fire Station among others. The cost for this phase is estimated at £58,900,000.

The Kumasi Airport is currently served by two domestic carriers namely: Africa World Airlines (AWA) and Passion Air. The Project Contractor is Messrs Contracta Construction UK Ltd.