The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) plans to redesign and upgrade the interior of Terminal 2 at Kotoka International Airport, allowing it to accommodate both domestic and international travellers.

Sources with knowledge of the issue tell AviationGhana that this move will pave the way for transferring all airlines registered in Africa from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2.

According to sources, the GACL says to efficiently manage both domestic and international passengers in Terminal 2, significant modifications are necessary to ensure proper separation between the two groups.

However, the transfers of African registered airlines from T3 to T2 have been strongly opposed by the affected airlines, who argue that it will create an unfair advantage for other competing airlines that would operate from the more modern and spacious T3.

GACL September meeting with airlines

The Ghana Airports Company Limited in September informed airlines servicing the KIA that it plans to relocate all regional airlines from Terminal 3 (T3) to T2 as part of efforts to “decongest” T3 and revitalize T2 of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

The exercise targets African-registered airlines including EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines SAA, RwandAir, Air Cote D’Ivoire, ASKY Airlines, Ibom Air, Air Peace, and Africa World Airlines (AWA) among others.

The GACL tabled an effective date of December 1, 2024. The affected airlines, on the other hand, raised issues about the short time frame and the need to ensure that facilities at Terminal 2 were up to the highest standard since their passengers also pay a significant amount as Airport Passenger Service Charge as their other African and non-African carriers.

Background

Domestic airline operations at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra, were moved from Terminal 1 of the facility to Terminal 2, which was previously used for international operations effective on Monday, October 8, 2018.

This follows the successful migration of all international operations from Terminal 2 to the newly- constructed Terminal 3 of the KIA.

Passengers traveling between Accra and regional capitals with functioning airports, including Takoradi, Kumasi, Tamale, Sunyani, and Wa, were required to complete departure formalities and board their flights at Terminal 2 due to these changes.

Terminal 1 (old domestic terminal) has been leased to McDan Aviation Ghana Limited for the operation of Private Jet services and Fixed Base Operator (FBO).