THE Minister of Transport, Mr Joseph Nikpe, on Wednesday paid a working visit to Terminal 2 of the Accra International Airport (AIA) to assess at first hand operations at the facility. The visit also afforded him the opportunity to inspect ongoing projects, including the new arrival and departure halls, as well as the construction of new offices, to ascertain the progress of work so far.
He was accompanied by senior officials from the ministry, airline operators and Ghana Airport Company Limited, respectively.
Addressing the media after the tour, the Minister assured airlines and the travelling public that the ongoing remodelling of Terminal 2 would be completed by July this year to enable the facility to serve both domestic and international operations.
He recalled that significant improvements were made to the country’s aviation systems last year through the Civil Aviation Authority to enhance safety and operational efficiency.
“This time round, the focus is on the airport infrastructure. We are looking at how to make our airport one of the best in the sub-region and on the African continent,” he stated.
The Minister explained that the ongoing works would allow Terminal 2 to operate a dual function as both a domestic and international terminal to improve passenger flow and airport operations.
He said the government had also made provision for the construction of a connecting concourse and boarding bridges that would link Terminal 2 to Terminal 3, ensuring that passengers transiting between the terminals would not have to exit the airport and re-enter the facility before connecting to other flights.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Mrs Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, said the remodelling of Terminal 2 was being undertaken in phases, and this covered areas such as the façade, baggage handling system, and arrivals and departures halls, as well as repair of structural defects and leakages. She said the total cost of the works undertaken so far was about 15 million dollars.
According to her, improved airport facilities would boost passenger confidence and increase traffic through the country’s airports.
“When facilities are improved, passengers feel comfortable and are encouraged to use the airport. Good infrastructure, retail services, restaurants and efficient customer service all contribute to attracting more passengers,” she stated.
She added that improving customer experience and ensuring professionalism in passenger handling were also key elements in positioning Ghana as a preferred aviation hub in the region.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL
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