GACL targets year-end start for Wa, Bolgatanga and Sunyani airport projects

The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) aims to commence construction of airport projects in Wa, Bolgatanga, and Sunyani by the end of 2026, according to Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, the Managing Director of the company. These developments encompass upgrades to Wa and Sunyani airports, as well as the establishment of a new airport in Bolgatanga.

The goal is to bolster domestic connectivity and stimulate economic opportunities nationwide. Opare emphasized that these projects are part of a broader strategy to broaden the advantages of aviation infrastructure beyond the capital city of Accra. In Wa, the proposed works include constructing a new terminal building and extending the runway to enhance accessibility to the Upper West Region.

The Bolgatanga project involves the construction of a new airport on a different site, aiming to improve access to the Upper East Region and stimulate commerce, tourism, and investment. Sunyani Airport is slated for a new terminal building, a contemporary air traffic control tower, and a runway extension exceeding 2,000 meters. Currently, the runway constrains the types of aircraft that can utilize the airport; the extension could accommodate larger jet services from operators such as Africa World Airlines, in addition to the airport's current operator, PassionAir.

These projects are integral to a larger investment program backed by the Airport Infrastructure Development Charge (AIDC). This charge was instituted to generate funding for significant aviation infrastructure enhancements over a ten-year period. The program also encompasses upgrades at Kotoka International Airport and infrastructure development at Kumasi Airport.