Tamale Airport attains full international status as 2nd phase expansion project is commissioned
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, commissioned the second phase development project of the Tamale International Airport (TIA).
In 2019, the Vice President cut the sod for the commencement of the project at the cost of $70 million.
Facilitated under the auspices of the UK-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC), established in 2018 , which the Vice President co-chairs, the project is part of the government’s aviation sector infrastructure development programme designed to expand the frontiers of the aviation industry and to make Ghana the aviation hub within the Sub-Region.
Components
Works undertaken at the airport include an approximately 5,000 meter squared expandable ultra-modern Airport Terminal Building with annual passenger throughput of 400,000; a multi-purpose Terminal (Hajj Facility), 5km Single Carriageway Access Road; a 330 capacity car park, a Technical hub to manage electricity, waste water treatment and other essentials, as well as other ancillary facilities.
The features of the New Terminal Building include a VIP lounge; two Boarding Gates; two Self-Service Check-in Kiosks; eight Check-in Desks; Airline offices and Commercial Retail Areas.
Increased economic trading
Dr. Bawumia said the completion of this ultra-modern terminal building together with a multi-purpose terminal and other ancillary facilities are expected to provide the needed impetus for increased economic trading activities and to re-inforce the status of Tamale as a Sub-Saharan Hub Airport for flights to and from neigbouring West African countries and the Sahel Region.
Alternative
The Vice President indicated that the airport will serve as a good alternative and complement to the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) for international travel and a nerve-centre for air travel for the North and the Sahel to Europe and beyond.
“Agriculture is known as a major sector in the north, so this project would help boost agro-based agriculture, it is a major hub for air cargo for the exportation of agricultural produce to Europe and various parts of the world,” he stated.
Furthermore, Dr. Bawumia said the annual Hajj Pilgrimage has also received a major boost as the new terminal can now contain more aircraft for international travels.
He thanked the UK Government and UK Export Finance (UKEF) for reacting favourably when the government proposed the project along with the Kumasi International Airport for funding in 2018.
