KIA authorities asked to embrace aviation growth

Mr Busera Awel, Chief Executive Officer of ASKY airlines, has noted that airport facilities in Accra must develop in line with the fast paced growth of the aviation industry.

He said if Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is to establish itself as a hub in the region then it must embrace change.

Mr Awel said although the airport authorities are working to improve facilities much more needs to be done to speed up the work.

Mr Awel was responding to a question about the airline’s impression about facilities at the airport since it began operations to Accra, in an interview with Ghana News Agency.

He said because the aviation industry is growing rapidly, there is the need for the airport to expand to be able to handle increased number of passengers and airlines.

Mr Awel said the airport should also have an area to host transit passengers to encourage more passengers to travel through Ghana.

“Transit passengers want to be comfortable during their transit and if the airport does not have such facilities, they will not come,” he said.

He lauded government’s plan to construct a new international airport at Prampram, saying “a new airport is very important”.

He urged African countries to emulate the example of other international airports like Dubai, which is very big and also has incentives for airlines that fly there.

These incentives, he said, encourage airlines to fly frequently to such destinations.

“It’s a win-win situation for both airline and country. Competition is good for the industry and airports also have to compete,” he said.

Source: GNA