Nairobi’s Kenya Airways, based is contemplating launching direct flights to Ghana’s new Kumasi International Airport, aiming to strengthen bilateral trade and tourism ties between the two nations.
In 2022, Ghana exported $5.46 million worth of goods to Kenya, with main exports including Coconut Oil ($2.44M), Cocoa Powder ($1.66M), and Other live plants, cuttings, and slips; mushroom spawn ($595k). Conversely, Kenya exported $9.53 million worth of goods to Ghana, including coconut and Other Vegetable Fibers ($5.08M), Tea ($1.24M), and aluminium plating ($580k).
The tourism sector also experiences a growing influx of tourists in both directions, fueled by a visa waiver agreement and attractions in both countries.
Mr. Allan Kilavuka, CEO of Kenya Airways, expressed the airline’s intention to focus on Kumasi during a media interaction in Accra.
“We are looking at this marketplace favourably, so in the first place, it [operating flights to Kumasi Airport] is something to consider,” he said.
The Kumasi International Airport, situated in the heart of Ghana’s second most populous city, Kumasi, has undergone significant transformation in the last five years.
The new state-of-the-art terminal building, designed to accommodate over 800,000 passengers annually, features modern passenger processing facilities and is equipped with navigation aids. Additionally, the airport offers Jet A1 (aviation fuel) services.
Mr. Kilavuka indicated that considering flights to Kumasi appears feasible and would be positively evaluated by KQ management.
“We just need to go back and work out on how, not if, we can operate some frequencies [ to Kumasi Airport]. What we have seen from the back of envelope analysis demonstrates the commercial viability [of servicing the Kumasi International Airport],” he said.
The Kumasi International Airport currently boasts a runway length of 1,994 meters, which facilitates the operations of aircraft such as A319s, A320s, and Boeing 737s.
Plans are underway to further extend the runway length to 2,300 meters or more, allowing the airport to accommodate larger aircraft.
tigpost.co
