Ghana’s growing air travel market is creating new opportunities for airport business, but it is also raising the pressure on infrastructure and the need for more sustainable sources of revenue to finance expansion.
At the centre of this challenge is Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), whose international passenger traffic at the Accra International Airport has risen from 1.8 million in 2022 to 2.5 million in 2025.
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang says the growth makes it important for the company to deepen its revenue diversification drive, particularly through commercial investments that can reduce its dependence on aviation-related income and support the development and maintenance of airports.
Speaking at GACL’s 20th anniversary celebration in Accra, she commended the company for financing a new commercial development at the Accra International Airport from its own resources.
The project, for which President John Dramani Mahama broke ground in August, comprises a multi-storey car park, hotels, retail and business facilities.
She said the investment would help generate additional income to support airport maintenance and development while reducing the company’s reliance on aeronautical revenue.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang also disclosed that GACL had announced its first dividend to government since its establishment, describing the development as an important milestone for the company.
Passenger growth drives airport expansion
The increase in passenger numbers is also driving investment in airport infrastructure to accommodate growing demand and improve the travel experience.
To ease pressure on Terminal 3, GACL is repurposing Terminal 2 to accommodate both domestic and international flights. A connecting concourse is also under construction to link the two terminals, allowing passengers to move between them without going outdoors.
Work is also underway to rehabilitate and extend the runway at Accra International Airport, alongside improvements to its lighting systems, to maintain safety and operational reliability as air traffic increases.
The Vice President said efficient airports were essential to Ghana’s ambitions to become a major centre for trade and investment, particularly as the country seeks to maximise opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
She said reliable airport and logistics services were critical for businesses that depend on the timely movement of people and high-value or time-sensitive goods, as well as for improving access to international markets.
She also highlighted regional aviation development, including the runway extension at Tamale and plans for a new regional airport at Bolgatanga.
However, she cautioned that infrastructure expansion must be matched by efficient operations, sound commercial management, reliable maintenance and consistent service delivery.
She called for energy efficiency, renewable energy and responsible infrastructure development to feature prominently in future airport investments. She also stressed the importance of developing Ghanaian expertise and creating opportunities for young people and women in the aviation industry.
GACL reflects on two decades of investment
GACL Managing Director, Mrs Yvonne Afriyie-Opare, said the company had evolved over the past 20 years into an institution managing six airports across the country, alongside several public airstrips.
She cited the construction and operationalisation of Terminal 3 at Accra International Airport, as well as the expansion and modernisation of airports in Kumasi and Tamale, as major milestones in the company’s development.
She said the ongoing repurposing of Terminal 2 would help accommodate growing operational demands and make better use of existing infrastructure for domestic and international operations.
Mrs Afriyie-Opare said construction of the multi-storey car park and hotel complex was progressing, alongside the connecting concourse between Terminals 2 and 3. She expects the concourse to be completed around the same time in 2027.
She described the anniversary as both a milestone and an opportunity for the company to assess its progress and prepare for its next phase of growth, following two decades marked by industry shocks, economic uncertainties and changing global conditions.
Government targets stronger aviation competitiveness
Transport Minister Joseph Nikpe said government remained committed to expanding aviation infrastructure to strengthen Ghana’s position as a leading aviation destination in Africa.
He said the success of the investments would depend not only on modern facilities but also on the commitment of management and staff to improving operational standards and passenger experience.
He emphasised the need to minimise delays and ensure efficient and reliable services for travellers using Ghana’s airports.
The Minister said infrastructure development would provide a foundation for Ghana’s aviation ambitions over the next two decades, but sustained improvements in service delivery would be essential to making the country competitive with other aviation hubs.
