The aviation industry, probably the worst-hit industry by the Coronavirus pandemic has seen the industry make losses to the tune of $118 billion dollars according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Data released by aviation analysis firm, Cirium, shows that COVID-19 and its fallout has canceled 21 years of global aviation growth as global flights reduced by 49 per cent in 2020 when compared to flights in 2019. Passenger traffic was also down by 67 per cent in 2020.
On the global scene, the rise of the pandemic resulted in the shutdown of airports around the world with imposed restrictions on air travel and this was no different in Ghana as the nation’s airports especially its premier airport – the Kotoka International Airport – was closed as part of measures to curtail importation of the virus from travelers coming into the country.
These actions by government has resulted in the loss of revenue by airlines and dampened demand for air travel in the country just as is the case on the global scene.
Despite being ravaged by the pandemic, some experts see a rebound in international aviation as soon as the third quarter of 2021 on the back of eased travel restrictions and a return to pre-pandemic 2019 levels before 2023.
By regions, the largest share of experts pointing to a return to 2019 levels in 2023 or later are in Europe (74%), the Americas (71%), Asia and the Pacific (66%), Africa (60%) and the Middle East (50%).
This text looks at other major events that took place in the country’s aviation space aside the closure of the country’s airports.
Closure and reopening of Ghana’s airports
President of the Republic at the onset of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country in March announced the closure of the country’s land and sea borders as well as the closure of the country’s various airports to curtail the importation of the virus into the country by travelers coming into the country.
After months of closing the nation’s airports – particularly the Kotoka International Airport – to international travelers, the airports were reopened to receive travelers on September 1, 2020.
Sixteen (16) out of the twenty-three (23) airlines that operated at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) prior to its closure during the pandemic immediately begun operations after the reopening.
The government after reopening the airports instituted a compulsory $150 Covid-19 PCR test for Ghanaian nationals and foreigners coming into the country. The compulsory PCR test resulted in some 10,061 passengers being tested within the first week of reopening out of which 26 travelers tested positive.
Government promises to sanction airlines, passengers who flout PCR testing requirement
Government amid a surge in active Covid-19 cases disclosed its intention to sanction airlines that flout its mandatory seventy-two (72)-hour old negative PCR testing required of flight passengers.
The country’s Covid-19 active caseload as of the time – Friday, November 6 – stood at 1,139 – a huge increment from 398 in just 21 days.
The death count has also increased to 320 with the number of daily recorded cases increased from 25 to 130.
Passengers who flouted the mandatory Covid-19 PCR test would be compelled to pay $3,500 as a fine. In the case of the airlines, an airline that flouted the directive would be made to $3,500 for each passenger on board the flight.
Ghanaians call for more domestic airlines
Increasing demand for domestic air travel, brought on by the need for safe, less crowded, efficient means of transport following the easing of restrictions on flight operations in the country by government and the resumption of domestic flights, led to calls for more domestic airlines.
The call form more domestic airlines for domestic travel was due to significant increment in airfares by the country’s two dominant domestic airlines – PassionAir and Africa World Airlines (AWA).
An Accra-Tamale return flight during the resumption of domestic flights now cost about Ghs 950; Accra-Kumasi and Accra-Takoradi return flights cost between Ghs 800 and Ghs 900.
PassionAir and AWA, operated 20 flights per day between Accra and Kumasi—the busiest domestic route. Industry data show that in 2019, a total of 16,499 people travelled by air domestically.
Attempts at reviving defunct domestic airlines
The aviation industry regulator, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), held meetings with management of dormant airlines to ascertain the challenges and support they require to restart operations.
Though there are 13 Ghanaian valid Air Operators Certificate (AOC) holders – which allows them to operate domestic and regional passenger and cargo flights – as at March 2018, only seven are active.
A further eight airlines which hold valid Air Carrier Licences (ACL) are still working with the regulator toward attaining an AOC to enable them start their operations. However, some have stalled the process by their inability to meet stringent regulatory requirements.
The need for such a meeting became imperative given the growing investment in onground airport infrastructure, but there are not enough active airlines to serve the growing domestic and regional aviation market.
The airports operator, Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), has invested about US$400million in constructing a new airport at Ho, rehabilitating the Wa aerodrome, and the construction of a new Terminal, Terminal 3, at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
The regulator has also spent significant sums in the acquisition of navigational equipment for the Ho, Wa, Tamale and Kumasi airports in recent times.
The demise of local airlines
Antrak Air and City Link led the growth of domestic air travel in the country more than a decade ago. They were later joined by Fly 540, Starbow and Africa World Airlines (AWA).
A combination of managerial fragilities, difficult operating environment, lack of financial muscle in a cash-intensive industry, and poor equipment choice are but a few of the challenges that brought most of the domestic operators to their knees.
City Link suspended operations five years ago due to various reasons. Fly 540 – a part of African Airline Group, FASTJET – also in May 2014 suspended all operations, saying: “The Company intends to fully focus on the considerable potential of opportunities in East and Southern Africa, and this legacy 540 operation is not, therefore, part of the core low-cost FASTJET model”.
Ghana, EgyptAir sign MoU to seal deal for new national airline
The Government of Ghana (GoG) and Cairo-based EgyptAir on Wednesday, October 21, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a new national airline.
The selection of EgyptAir as Ghana’s partner for the launch of the new home-based carrier followed series of engagement with senior management team of the airline and the committee of aviation experts constituted by the Aviation Ministry.
Ethiopian Airlines was previously selected be GoG’s strategic partner in establishing a new national airline, but due to lack of agreement over key issues such as routes, funding, tenure of the management contract among others, led to the airline being dropped as Government’s strategic partner for a new home-based carrier.
EgyptAir, according to sources, offered a better deal in terms of funding for the new airline, routes, fleet and personnel– with Ghanaians expected to play key roles in the new entity once it is established.
EgyptAir currently operates scheduled passenger and freight services to more than 75 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Qatar Airways touches down at KIA with Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The state of the art Boeing 787 Dreamliner of Qatar Airways touched down on the runway of the Kotoka International Airport on the morning of September 29, 2020.
The touch down of the airline’s dreamliner at KIA officially commenced its four weekly flights to Accra, Ghana via Lagos.
Ghana’s Minister of Aviation, Joseph Kofi Adda, speaking to journalists at the touch down of the Boeing 787 dreamliner of Qatar Airways said; “The emergence of Qatar Airways just a few weeks since Ghana reopened the Kotoka International Airport, signals the confidence gained from international airlines amid the coronavirus pandemic – there is something we are doing right.”
“It’s been two years of fruitful engagements with the State of Qatar. The investment potential is huge and indeed, Ghana is opened for business,” added CEO of GIPC, Yofi Grant.
GACL staff demand MD’s dismissal
Staff of the Ghana Airport Company Limited, (GACL) adorned the premises of the company with red colours in demand for the removal of Yaw Kwakwa as the Managing Director of GACL.
The workers accused Mr Kwakwa of mismanagement.
In a petition to President Akufo-Addo through the chief of staff, the workers argued that, “The Managing Director since assumption of office 2 years ago has demonstrated gross incompetence, insensitivity and lack of understanding of the critical Aviation Industry and therefore his continuous stay in office will further detail the progress of the company.”
The petition further accused the MD of “Deliberate refusal to implement several interview reports lying on his desk for over two years, outsourcing key aspects of the company’s operations at exorbitant cost, notwithstanding the availability of in-house capacity.”
The services according to the workers included carpentry works, plumbing works among others.
The leadership of the Ghana Airport Company Limited Divisional Union of the Public Services Workers Union, PSWU in the petition stated the only way out was the removal of Mr Kwakwa as the MD.
The Union leaders copied the National Security Minister, Labour Commission, Minister for Employment and Labour Relations and other stakeholders in their petition with a 14-day ultimatum.
According to the workers upon the expiration of the ultimatum, other actions such as laying down of tools would kick-in.
Domestic flights cancelled over GCAA staff strike
Staff of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) embarked on a strike on October 14, 2020 to picket against the encroachment of aviation lands at the La Wireless Station adjacent the AU Village in Accra.
The staff protested that activities of a private developer on the land interrupted with critical aviation cable installments underground affecting the ability of the Air Navigation Services (ANS), a department within the GCAA responsible for managing air traffic on behalf of the country to get clear signals to aid the arrival and departure of airplanes.
The strike action by the staff resulted in the disruption of the operations of two domestic airlines – Africa World Airline (AWA) and Passions Airline.
Several passengers were stranded at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) as staff of the ANS refused to provide aviation signals to aid the departure of domestic airlines at the KIA.
Reports indicate that, staff of the GCAA have demanded for a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) with Government, after a meeting with the Minister of Aviation, Joseph Adda, Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffoe Awuah and Deputy Minister of Interior Henry Quartey who were all present at the premises of GCAA and witnessed the strike action by staff of the GCAA.
Background to the long-running issue
The land on which the La Wireless Station Aviation Training School in Accra is sited was leased by government on behalf of the GCAA from the La Traditional Council for a total of 99 years.
As at last year, there were 27 years left on the lease. The lease has since been renewed for an additional 63 years but with portions of the land reverting back to the La Traditional Council.
Developers, backed by the Council, have since started redeveloping portions of the land. It is this activity that caused damage to some underground cables of various Air Navigation Service (ANS) installations. This threatens aviation safety in the Accra Flight Information Region (FIR).
More time needed to relocate staff
Mr. Kofi Adda revealed that staff affected by the redevelopment of parts of the land in issue will be relocated to other decent facilities.
“We have come to some understanding on the window that we need to resolve the matters that are before us now. That is, to be able to get some time frame to relocate some of our staff that are in bungalows that have to be reconverted into new developments”
“Also some of the developments that have to take place in the government allocated lands which are closers to the transmitters and receivers stations are things that we have to deal with. We will need some more time to be able to resolve these matters,” he averred.
KIA receives Airport Health Accreditation Certificate
The Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in 2020 was accredited by the Airports Council international Africa (ACI Africa) for best health practices at the airport.
The accreditation by ACI Africa made KIA the second airport in Sub-Saharan Africa after Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Mauritius, to have successfully undergone the accreditation programme.
But for Covid-19, the accreditation certificate would have been handed to KIA at the ACI Africa’s Airport Safety Award held annually in October. ACI Africa then took to its official twitter page to congratulate KIA on being accredited by the Council.
The ACI Airport Health Accreditation Certificate affirms airports’ health measures in line with the ACI Aviation Business Restart and Recovery guidelines and ICAO Council Aviation Restart Task Force recommendations for best industry practices.
ACI Airport Health Accreditation enables airports to demonstrate to passengers, staff, regulators, and governments that they are prioritizing health and safety in a measurable, established manner and also promote recognition of professional excellence in maintaining safe hygienic facilities.
International airlines plan direct flights to Kumasi
Two major international airlines in the course of 2020 planned to start a direct service between their hubs and the Ashanti Regional’s capital Kumasi.
Sources indicate that the two airlines are to commence direct flights to the Kumasi International Airport when completed. The airlines believe that the region has the numbers to make any such future operation successful.
“We have been looking at the numbers and we think that it is something we want to do, even if it is a day or two in the week that we operate directly between our hub and Kumasi for a start,” a senior executive of one of the airlines said.
Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital, is the busiest domestic destination and is currently served by both PassionAir and Africa World Airlines (AWA).
PassionAir and AWA, for instance, operate 20 flights per day between Accra and Kumasi.
Seats are hard to get especially during weekends when hundreds of people travel for social functions such as funerals, weddings and family meetings.
Industry data show that in 2019, a total of 16,499 people travelled by air between the two cities.
Expansion of Kumasi International Airport
Construction of a new terminal building and other ancillary works at the Kumasi Airport, which will make the operation of direct international flights to the airport possible is nearing completion.
The project, valued at about $300 million, comprised the extension of the runway from 1,981m to 2,300m to accommodate Boeing 737-800 series aircraft, construction of a new two-story ultra-modern terminal, construction of additional aprons, restaurants, shopping and parking areas, and a ring road around the airport.
It’s expected that the new terminal will have the capacity to handle one million passengers per annum.
The expansion project was part of the multi-modal transportation system being developed by the government to enhance tourism in the Ashanti Region.
The second phase of the project, which began in June 2018, is expected to be completed in 24 months.
Why the choice of Kumasi
The capital is one of the fastest-growing in the 16 regions of the country, with an estimated population of over 3 million people.
Over the past two decades there has been rapid growth in commercial activities in the city, chiefly because of its ideal location in the middle-belt of the country.
A lot of traders from the region also travel to China and other countries in the East to bring in goods for retail locally.
Traders, farmers and cattle owners from Brong Ahafo and the northern parts of Ghana bring their wares to large markets in Kumasi to sell every day.
What is needed to make direct flights possible
Aside the regulatory approval by the aviation sector regulator, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), various security agencies–the Ghana Immigration Service, National Security, the Narcotics Control Board and others–would need to be present on-ground with their systems fully installed and functional.
Additionally, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) would have to set up their system at the terminal building to ensure the right taxes on imported goods are paid.
Parliament passes Air Navigation Services Agency Bill
Ghana’s Parliament on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 passed the Air Navigation Services Agency Bill, creating an autonomous and independent entity out of the current Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
The separation of the air navigation and regulatory functions of the GCAA was in line with international best practice in aviation and recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to ensure that the GCAA does not act as an operator and regulator at the same time.
Despite the benefits and recommendations by major global agencies of aviation including ICAO, the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) and Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) for the separation of the ANS function from the regulatory role of the country’s CAA, the decision to do so has been lacking since 2006.
Aviation Minister, Joseph Kofi Adda, in November moved for the Bill to be passed by Parliament and it was seconded by the Chairman of the Roads and Transport Committee, Mr Ayeh-Paye.
The third reading and the passage of the Bill was done on Tuesday, November 3, setting the final stage for the decoupling awaiting Presidential Assent.
The move added to Ghana’s continuous high record of improving the aviation sector reforms in line with the attainment of the President’s vision of making Ghana the aviation hub in West Africa.
Civil Aviation gets first female Deputy Director-General
The Director of Audit at the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Juliet Aboagye-Wiafe, was appointed the new acting Deputy Director-General, Finance and Administration of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
She is the first female to be appointed to occupy the Deputy Director General’s position following the retirement of Mr Abdulai Alhassan who retired on July, 2020 having attained the compulsory retirement age of 60.
A letter from the Office of the President dated August 27 and signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, named Ms Aboagye-Wiafe, as the one to fill the vacant position in acting capacity.
The appointment was in accordance with section 9 (4) of the Ghana Civil Aviation Act, 2004 (Act 678).