Accra, Dec. 18, GNA- The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority has reduced its aeronautic charges to attract more airlines from its intercontinental, sub-regional and domestic front. The reduction of terminal charges is between 25 and 50 per cent and took effect from December 1, 2003.

It is also geared towards facilitating the Kotoka International Airport into becoming a hub and gateway to the sub-region. Nii Adu-Mansah Badoe, Deputy Director in Charge of the GCAA told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that a careful survey of Aeronautical charges in the sub-region revealed that KIA charges were too high, which did not promote good business.

He said the KIA derived 80 per cent of its revenues from aeronautical charges and 20 per cent from other sources. He said a situation that had changed in the aviation industry in most countries at the rate of 55 per cent non-aeronautical to 45 per cent aeronautical of which GCAA would want to emulate.

The Director General noted, "In the past when the aviation market was profitable airlines had complained about high aeronautical charges but still managed to live with the high charges. Whenever, there was a downturn in the industry airlines looked first at the destination with higher operational cost and withdrew their services immediately." Giving a breakdown of the review of terminal charges, Mr Chris Quaye, Airport Manager said aeronautical charges included landing, parking, and lighting and over flight charges.

On the intercontinental front, aeronautical charges have been reduced to conform to international standards to give all airlines a level playing field.

Mr Quaye said on the sub-regional front, a flight that lands and takes off at KIA during the day gets a 50 per cent discount while those that did so in the night pay a 25 per cent discount.

Giving statistics of the domestic charges, Mr Quaye said all aircraft, which operated domestically, would have their charges waived for six months and starting from the seventh month.

He said aircraft weighing between 21 to 30 tonnes, which previously paid 180 dollars, would now pay 15 dollars.

Those weighing 31 to 40 tonnes would now pay 20 dollars instead of 240 dollars while those weighing between 41 to 50 tonnes will pay 25 dollars instead of 300 dollars.

Mr Quaye said the GCAA has also written to the African Ground Operations (AFGO) and Ghana Airways to also review their passenger handling charges by 45 per cent to match rates in the aviation industry. He said although Ghana Airways had agreed in principle, AFGO was yet to state its position.

Mr Quaye said GCAA is considering opening up ground handling services on tender basis in order to bring in more competition.