The Acting Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited, Mr Charles K. Asare, has said growth in the aviation industry has a correlation with economic development in terms job creation and market stability.

He said within the last past years, the aviation industry has increased by 25 per cent which has also increased airport tariffs for upgrading and construction of more airports in the country. Mr Asare was speaking at a grounds breaking ceremony for the commencement of work on the expansion of the Tamale Airport into an international airport. The ceremony was part of President John Mahama’s two-day official visit to the Northern Region.

Mr Asare said major security measures are underway to take care of the traffic that would be experienced as a result of the expansion projects.

He said as part of those measures, CCTV cameras would be installed at the Kotoka International Airport and subsequently to all other airports in the country. Phase one of the expansion programme include the installation of Aeronautical Ground Lightening to accommodate Boeing 747 up to Boeing 800 series of aircraft.

The $100 million project would also extend and expand the runway up to 4,000 metres with additional aprons and perimeter road and security fence. Apart from the Tamale Airport, similar upgrading facilities would be provided at the Kumasi Airport in order to have three international airports, while the Takoradi and Wa airports would also be provided with permanent terminals.