Ghana’s domestic aviation sector is facing turbulence, not from the skies but from a shortage of aviation fuel in Accra, which has threatened to stall flights and disrupt business operations across the country.
Domestic airline, PassionAir, has issued a public notice warning of “significant disruptions” to its flight operations from Wednesday, July 22 to Sunday, July 27, citing a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority.
The statement indicated that the NOTAM, dated July 22, confirmed an anticipated shortage of aviation fuel at the Kotoka International Airport, the country’s busiest airport and a lifeline for domestic and some regional travel.
This development is coming at a huge cost to businesspeople who depend on domestic flights for internal travel. From tour operations and hospitality services to corporate executives and traders who depend on intercity flights to do business, the disruption is expected to dent productivity and revenue.
The aviation fuel shortage is also set to deliver a blow to the domestic tourism sector. Local tour companies, which have seen a modest rebound in activity post-COVID, could experience a dip as flight delays or cancellations could force tourists to cancel or scale back travel plans.
Hotels and conference centres in cities like Takoradi and Tamale, which often host business retreats, NGO workshops, and government programmes, may also suffer cancellations or low turnouts.
Industry analysts warn that the broader economic effect could run into millions of cedis if the disruption lingers beyond the anticipated July 27 deadline.
While the specific reason for the shortage has not been disclosed by the authorities, energy experts say the situation again highlights Ghana’s fragile petroleum supply chain. Aviation fuel stock is usually maintained by Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs), and any delay in forex access, offloading at ports, or refinery output could trigger scarcity.
In the meantime, PassionAir has urged passengers to stay updated via its customer service line and promised to keep the public informed. The airline has also apologized for the inconvenience, attributing the problem to circumstances beyond its control.
