Kumasi, Ghana: Airport Accessibility And Development

Yes, Kumasi, the capital city of the Ashanti Region in Ghana, has an international airport. The airport, located 6 kilometres (4 mi) from Kumasi, was initially a military airbase for the British Royal Air Force during World War II. It was converted into a domestic airport in 1999 and attained international status in 2003. The airport has undergone several expansion and renovation projects to enhance its status as an international airport, including the installation of lights on the taxiway and extension of the runway. As of 2023, the airport handled over 400,000 passengers, making it the second busiest airport in Ghana.

Prempeh I International Airport

The airport has undergone several renovation and expansion projects to achieve its status as an international airport. In 2012, initial renovation works were started on the existing facilities, including patching and filling cracks on the main runway, constructing additional waiting rooms, and building a car park. In 2014, the airport's runway was rehabilitated and installed with Aeronautical Ground Lighting Systems, enabling domestic airlines to commence night operations.

Phase 1 of the Prempeh I International Airport project was completed in December 2014, with the first night landing by the then President John Dramani Mahama. Phase 2 of the project began in 2018 and includes the construction of a new terminal building, two boarding bridges, a road network, a perimeter fence, a power substation, and a car parking lot. The cost of this expansion work is estimated at £66,350,000. Phase 3 of the project, approved by the Parliament of Ghana in April 2019, includes an extension of the terminal building, a fire station, fire access routes, and an air control tower.

The airport is currently served by two domestic carriers: Africa World Airlines (AWA) and Passion Air. In 2023, the airport handled over 400,000 passengers, making it the second busiest airport in Ghana after Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

Airport history

The Prempeh I International Airport, formerly known as Kumasi Airport, is located in Kumasi, the capital city of the Ashanti Region in Ghana. The airport is named after Asante King Prempeh I and is situated 6 kilometres (4 mi) away from Kumasi.

The construction of Kumasi Airport was first approved in 1940, and the airport began operations in 1943 as a military air force base for the British Royal Air Force during World War II. In 1958 and 1959, the Government of Ghana made significant developments to the runway, navigational facilities, and human resources to enhance internal airline operations. The airport underwent further renovations in the 1970s, including the installation of runway and taxiway lights, as well as an extension of the main runway to the southern part of the airport.

In 1993, a new terminal building was commissioned by President Jerry John Rawlings, and the airport transitioned from a fully military base to a domestic airport in 1999. Renovation work continued in 2008, with Bans Consult Limited rehabilitating the arrival and departure halls, the control room, and the rescue and fire station. They also constructed a VIP lounge.

In 2003, Kumasi Airport was declared an international airport for regional operations, and it attained international status in 2014. The airport underwent rehabilitation and upgrades to meet international standards, including repairing the runway and installing airfield lights and aeronautical ground lights to facilitate night operations. In 2018, the second phase of the airport expansion commenced, focusing on constructing a new terminal building, expanding the parking areas, and extending the runway to accommodate more passengers and larger aircraft.

Expansion plans

The Prempeh I International Airport, formerly known as the Kumasi Airport, has undergone several expansion projects over the years to enhance its status as an international airport. The airport, which is located 6 kilometres (4 mi) from Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region in Ghana, has witnessed a steady rise in passenger traffic in recent years.

The first significant expansion of the airport began in 2014 with a $29 million rehabilitation project that included the installation of aeronautical ground lighting systems and the rehabilitation of the existing runway. This was followed by the second phase of the expansion, which commenced in November 2018 with a budget of €66.35 million ($75.23 million). This phase involved the construction of a new passenger terminal with a capacity to handle over one million passengers per year, as well as the extension of the runway from 1,981 metres to 2,300 metres to accommodate wide-body aircraft. The second phase also included the construction of multiple service facilities, such as two boarding bridges, a road network, a perimeter fence, a power substation, and a car parking lot.

Phase three of the expansion project, approved by the Parliament of Ghana in April 2019 with a budget of €58.9 million, includes further developments such as the extension of the terminal building, the construction of a fire station, fire access routes, and an air control tower. Additionally, this phase involves extending the car park and access roads, and the construction of an airside service road.

The expansion of the Kumasi International Airport is part of the Ghanaian government's multi-modal transportation system aimed at enhancing tourism in the Ashanti Region and improving the country's infrastructure for safe domestic and international operations.

Airlines and destinations

Yes, Kumasi, Ghana, has an airport. The airport is called Prempeh I International Airport (IATA: KMS, ICAO: DGSI) and is located 6 kilometres (4 mi) from Kumasi. It is the second-largest airport in Ghana and primarily serves regional operations.

The airport is currently served by two domestic carriers: Africa World Airlines (AWA) and Passion Air. The one and only destination from here is ACC, with flights operating 7 days a week.

The airport has undergone several renovations and upgrades to achieve and maintain its status as an international airport. In 2014, a newly rehabilitated runway installed with Aeronautical Ground Lighting Systems was inaugurated, allowing domestic airlines to commence night operations.

Phase Two of the Airport Expansion Project began in 2018 and includes the construction of a new terminal building, boarding bridges, a road network, perimeter fence, a power substation, and a car parking lot, among other facilities. The expansion work is estimated to cost £66,350,000.

Phase Three of the project involves further infrastructure developments, such as extending the existing runway pavement, constructing a new taxi link, additional apron parking stands, an Air Traffic Control Building, and a Fire Station. These ongoing enhancements to the airport's infrastructure and capacity are expected to facilitate a greater volume of passengers and improve the overall travel experience for those passing through Prempeh I International Airport.

Airport facilities

Kumasi Airport, now known as Prempeh I International Airport, is located 6 kilometres (4 mi) from Kumasi, Ghana. It is the second-largest and second-busiest airport in Ghana, handling over 400,000 passengers in 2023 and over 476,000 passengers in 2022. The airport was initially a military air force base for the British Royal Air Force during World War II. In 1999, it was converted into a domestic airport, and in 2003, it attained international status. However, it only operated on a regional level until 2014, when it underwent significant upgrades to become a fully functioning international airport.

The airport has a range of facilities and services to cater to the needs of its passengers and ensure safe and comfortable operations. Here are some of the key airport facilities:

• Terminal Buildings: The airport has undergone multiple expansion projects, including the construction of new terminal buildings to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. The latest expansion phase, which began in 2018, aims to build a new terminal capable of handling 800,000 to 1 million passengers annually.
• Runway and Taxiway: The airport has a rehabilitated runway equipped with Aeronautical Ground Lighting Systems, allowing for night operations. The runway has been extended multiple times to accommodate larger aircraft and facilitate safer operations. Further expansion plans include extending the runway from 1,981 meters to 2,300 or 2,320 meters.
• Boarding Bridges: The expansion plans include the construction of two boarding bridges to facilitate efficient and comfortable passenger boarding and disembarkation.
• Road Network and Parking: The airport has a well-developed road network, including access roads and a car parking lot. The expansion projects aim to further extend the car park to accommodate the increasing number of passengers and vehicles.
• Security, Customs, and Immigration: Prempeh I International Airport has a full complement of security, customs, and immigration staff, ensuring the safety and smooth flow of passengers and goods.
• Fire Station: The airport has a fire station to ensure the safety of the premises and respond to any emergencies. The ongoing expansion includes plans for a second fire station.
• Air Traffic Control: The airport has an air traffic control system in place to manage aircraft movements safely. The expansion plans include constructing a new air traffic control building and an air control tower.
• Passenger Amenities: Prempeh I International Airport offers various amenities for passenger convenience, including a restaurant, exchange office, ATM, and offices of different travel agencies and airlines.
• Fuel Services: Fuel services are provided by Ghana Goil, with a tanker available at the airport with a capacity of 34,000 litres.
• Electricity and Backup Power: The airport is connected to the national grid and has dedicated backup lines and generators to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

Frequently asked questions