GCAA backs more domestic airlines to drive down airfares

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is open to more domestic airlines entering the market in an effort to increase competition and reduce airfares, according to Director General Rev Stephen Wilfred Arthur. Competition is seen as a key factor in making domestic air travel more affordable, but the regulator does not set ticket prices.

Airfares are largely determined by market forces, and the regulator can only intervene if there are anti-competitive practices or price collusion. The GCAA welcomes efforts to bring more players into the domestic aviation market and is prepared to create a level playing field for prospective airlines. More airlines would increase capacity and competition, potentially putting downward pressure on fares and improving service quality.

The regulator emphasized that safety and security would never be compromised for the sake of injecting more players into the industry. A government withdrawal of import duties on aircraft spares could help reduce operating costs for domestic airlines, potentially leading to lower airfares. The domestic market has room for growth, and lower fares could encourage more people to fly, increasing demand for domestic air travel.