He said the government under the auspices of the Transport Ministry has secured the essential funding and procurement approvals for work to commence on the Kumasi and Sunyani airports.
According to the Minister, the works include installation of runway lights at the Sunyani airport to allow for night aviation, expansion and construction of a new terminal at the Kumasi airport and rehabilitation of the runways.
Alhaji Collins Dauda, who is also a Member of Parliament for Asutifi South made this disclosure on Adom FM on Wednesday. He further stated that an air-conditioned tent has been raised at the Kumasi airport as a temporary measure to accommodate the rising number of domestic fliers.
He also said his Ministry is liaising with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority to construct an office complex to accommodate the airline operators to facilitate their operations.
He however discounted accusations by Antrak Air officials that the operations of an airline operator, Starbow, have adverse effects on the runways of the Kumasi and Tamale airports. The officials claim Starbow has been using heavy aircraft which deteriorate the airports but the Transport Minister says it is rather a reflection of the frequency of flights.
He argued the officials have also acquired heavy aircraft. “Antrak operates 6 flights a day to Kumasi while Starbow operates three, so if it is the weight that is spoiling the runway, then you (Antrak) are part of it.
When Starbow came with a bigger aircraft, you also brought in a big one,” he said. He revealed that officials of the Transport and Energy ministries are discussing measures to curb the high cost of aviation fuel, which affects ticket prices negatively.
Source: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw
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