Ghana on the runway to recovery

Ghana Airports Company Ltd (GACL) has set forth a recovery plan and created new health measures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Top connection: KIA aims to be the aviation hub for west Africa. Picture:GACL

With government support, GACL has launched measures to improve the vital liquidity situation at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in its capital city, Accra.

In addition to renegotiating service contracts, it has also taken steps to increase non-aeronautical revenue streams, such as the implementation of the airport city project in Accra and other regional airports.

“Our number one priority during the restart of operations here at KIA was the safety of our staff, passengers and other stakeholders,” said a GACL spokesperson.

“Aviation is an adaptive industry and with the virus came new measures. These included thermal checks, a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test pre-arrival and an antigen test upon arrival.”

GACL also designed and implemented a document on Covid-19 protocols.

By prioritising health and safety in a measurable and established manner, KIA was one of the first facilities in Africa to be awarded an Airports Council International airport health accreditation.

“KIA was also one of the first on the continent to introduce an innovative and state-of-the-art Covid-19 testing facility integrated into the arrival facilitation process,” added the spokesperson.

Beyond the health and economic crisis management, GACL remains focused on its vision to position Ghana as the preferred aviation hub and leader in airport business in west Africa.

“We aim to be a hub, connecting passengers within this region and beyond with the rest of the world by providing a seamless, safe, and comfortable environment for all stakeholders using the airport, while following strict health and safety measures,” said the spokesperson.

“The facilities at KIA set out a benchmark, which other airports within the continent should emulate to reassure passengers who use their facilities.”

Anuradha Deenapanray Chappard reports.