The inaugural international flight to Kumasi’s newly upgraded Prempeh I International Airport by Ethiopian Airlines carried fewer than 25 people, raising concerns about the route’s viability. The flight, Ethiopian Airlines ETH8719, marked a historic moment as the first international flight to land at the revamped airport. However, the number of passengers fell far below expectations.
According to flight details, only 18 passengers boarded the plane alongside two pilots, four cabin crew members, and one engineer. On its return trip, the aircraft had 12 on board. This was significantly lower than the 80 passengers that Paul Adom Otchere, Chairman of the Ghana Airport Company, had projected for the flight.
The flight was part of efforts to test the feasibility of international routes from Kumasi, aiming to pave the way for full commercial services that would connect Kumasi directly to global destinations. This would allow passengers to bypass transiting through Accra.
However, the low patronage has led to discussions among industry experts about the future success of international routes from Kumasi. While some experts acknowledge that the low passenger count on a single flight may not be a decisive indicator of viability, concerns have been raised over the length of the runway.
Despite the extension of the original runway, some industry players still find it insufficient for heavy aircraft. One observer noted, “Just look at where the empty aircraft took off and the runaway left. Can it take off with load from Kumasi?”
The Ethiopian Airlines aircraft has a seating capacity of around 186, but it was expected to carry between 80 to 120 passengers on this flight to ensure it was light enough for takeoff, considering the runway’s length. However, only 18 passengers were onboard. It is unclear who covered the costs for the chartered flight or how much was paid for it.
