After three decades without major rehabilitation, the Ghana Airports Company Limited has begun decisive action to remove a growing operational risk at Kotoka International Airport, as the airport embarks on a comprehensive runway overlay and expansion programme critical to sustaining international traffic, safety compliance and airline confidence.
The urgency of the intervention came into sharp focus during an inspection tour by GACL’s Board and Management, which assessed progress on what has become one of the airport’s most consequential infrastructure projects in decades.
Managing Director Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare said the works are not simply about expansion, but about preventing future constraints that could undermine KIA’s role as Ghana’s primary aviation gateway.
“A runway is not something you wait to fail. Once it begins to pose operational or compliance risks, the consequences affect airlines, passengers and the wider economy,” she noted, adding that the existing runway had exceeded its standard rehabilitation cycle by nearly 15 years.
Protecting Connectivity and Airline Confidence
The project involves a full resurfacing of the runway and widening it from 60 metres to 75 metres, positioning KIA for Category 4F operations, a requirement for handling larger, wide-body aircraft increasingly deployed on long-haul routes.
According to aviation analysts, failure to undertake the upgrade could have exposed Ghana to higher maintenance costs, operational restrictions and potential airline re-routing in the future, especially as regional competition for hub traffic intensifies.
Mrs. Opare explained that the decision to widen the runway reflects deliberate long-term asset planning.
“Air traffic is growing, aircraft sizes are increasing, and airports that do not plan ahead eventually lose relevance. This project ensures Kotoka remains competitive and compliant well into the future,” she said.
High-Stakes Construction With Zero Disruption Tolerance
Executing the project without interrupting daily flight operations has required a tightly choreographed construction model. The contractor disclosed that all physical works are carried out exclusively at night, within a six-hour operational window, ensuring zero daytime disruption.
“Every night is treated like a standalone project. Equipment deployment, milling, asphalt laying and clearance are timed down to the minute because there is no margin for delay,” the contractor explained.
So far, a 100-metre trial section on the runway shoulders has been completed, including earthworks, duct repairs and asphalt laying, with full runway resurfacing scheduled to follow.
Timeline and Delivery Risk Managed
The project, which began in July last year, has an 18-month delivery timeline and is expected to be completed by July next year. The contractor assured the Board that works remain on schedule, with no anticipated extensions.
For GACL, keeping the project on track is critical not only for safety compliance, but also for protecting revenue flows tied to airline operations, passenger throughput and regional connectivity.
More Than Infrastructure
Beyond the physical works, the runway upgrade signals a shift toward proactive infrastructure risk management at Ghana’s airports — addressing latent vulnerabilities before they translate into operational or economic shocks.
As air traffic across West Africa continues to rise, the success of this project may well determine how well Ghana positions itself in an increasingly competitive aviation landscape.
