The government of Ghana is urging domestic airlines to cut airfares as it lowers airlines’ operating costs and extends airport operating hours, aiming to make domestic air travel more affordable and useful for businesses and travellers.
Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe said airlines should pass on the savings from the government’s decision to waive duties on imported aircraft parts, arguing that lower operating costs should translate into cheaper tickets for passengers.
His call comes as passengers continue to raise concerns about high domestic airfares, which are making air travel less affordable for people who rely on it for work, business and other trips.
Businesses that need to travel between Accra and other commercial centres can also face higher costs when airfares rise, making routine trips for meetings, deals and other business activities more expensive. This can discourage some businesses and individuals from using domestic flights as often as they would like.
The Minister made the call at the unveiling of Africa World Airlines’ (AWA) new 102-seater Embraer E190 aircraft, where he said the combination of lower operating costs and increased aircraft capacity should give airlines room to offer more affordable fares.
“We want to seize this opportunity to appeal to all the airlines, especially the leading domestic airlines, to also look at their affairs and let it reflect on the Ghanaian traveller, so that our people can also enjoy some reduction in airfares,” he said.
The government’s push comes alongside efforts to expand the hours during which domestic airports can handle commercial flights, allowing airlines to operate for longer and creating more room for additional flight frequencies.
Nikpe said the government has extended operating times at airports in Kumasi and Tamale as part of efforts to enable airlines to participate more fully in the 24-hour economy. Work is also ongoing to expand operating hours in Accra.
Longer operating windows could allow domestic airlines to schedule more flights and improve aircraft utilisation, particularly on routes linking Accra with major commercial centres.
The introduction of larger aircraft could also help airlines spread operating costs across more passengers. AWA’s new Embraer E190, with capacity for 102 passengers, gives the airline additional capacity as it seeks to expand its operations and strengthen connectivity.
The government is therefore positioning the aviation sector as part of the infrastructure supporting its 24-hour economy agenda. Nikpe has previously said efficient transport systems are necessary for the movement of people, goods and services and for improving productivity and national competitiveness.
The policy direction also extends beyond passenger travel. The government has announced plans for a 150-acre air cargo hub at Tamale International Airport to support the export of vegetables, fruits and other high-value agricultural produce from northern Ghana to international markets.
The combination of cheaper operating inputs, larger aircraft and longer airport operating hours could therefore reshape the economics of domestic aviation if airlines are able to translate the measures into higher aircraft utilisation and more competitive fares.
