Kotoka International Airport (IATA:ACC,ICAO:DGAA) is aninternational airport inAccra, the capital ofGhana.[2] The airport is operated byGhana Airports Company Limited (GACL), which has its offices on the airport property.[3] Until the upgrading of the Tamale and Kumasi airports to international standards, KIA, for a long time, was the sole international airport in Ghana.[4]
In 2024, the airport served a record 3.4 million passengers, a recovery from the 1.2 million in 2020 (reduced due to theCOVID-19 pandemic).[1] It presently serves as a hub for domestic and regional operatorAfrica World Airlines, and a base for domestic operatorPassion Air.
The airport has two passenger terminals: Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Terminal 2 handles only domestic flights, while Terminal 3 serves regional, international, and long-haul flights.[5] Terminal 1 is presently no longer in use but will be redeveloped into anFBO.[6] Terminal 3 has the capacity for large aircraft such as theAirbus A380.[7]
The airport has been recognized as the "Best Airport in Africa" (2-5 million pax per annum) for 2019, 2020 and 2021 byAirports Council International.[8][9]
The airport was originally a military airport used by the British Royal Air Force during World War II. The facility was handed over to civilian authorities after the war. A development project was launched in 1956 by PresidentKwame Nkrumah to reconfigure the structure into a terminal building. The project was completed in 1958, turning the military base into an airport with a capacity of 500,000 passengers per year.[10] The airport was originally named Accra International Airport.[11]
In 1969, the Accra International Airport was renamed Kotoka International Airport, in honor of Lieutenant GeneralEmmanuel Kwasi Kotoka (1926–1967), a member of theNational Liberation Council.[12] Kotoka was killed in an abortive coup attempt at a location that is now the forecourt of the airport.[13]
Construction officially commenced on 1 March 2016 on a new $274 million Terminal 3 which is capable of handling 5 million passengers a year, with an expansion potential of up to 6.5 million. The sod-cutting was done by PresidentJohn Dramani Mahama and Turkish PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdogan[14] The new Terminal 3 will handle 1,250 passengers an hour, equipped with three business lounges, a large commercial and retail area and six boarding bridges. The terminal opened to passengers on 15 September 2018 and officially inaugurated on 2 October by PresidentNana Akufo-Addo.[5]
There has been debate over the years as to whether it was fitting to rename the airport from Accra International Airport to Kotoka International Airport from GeneralEmmanuel Kwasi Kotoka. Many argue that the airport was built byKwame Nkrumah, whose government was overthrown by a coup led by Kotoka.[15][16][17]
AnAfrica World Airlines ERJ-145LR at Kotoka International AirportTerminal 3 Departure Hall at Kotoka International AirportExterior view of Terminal 2 at Kotoka International Airport
Airport City Accra is an urban development centered around Kotoka International Airport.
The development is promoted byGhana Airports Company Limited on the principle that airports have ceased to be mere terminals, but rather economic growth outlets to promote trade and generate employment.[41]
The airport shares its facilities withAir Force Base Accra, an installation of theGhana Air Force. It hosts a squadron ofAirbus C295 transport aircraft, as well as a helicopter squadron withHarbin Z-9 andMil Mi-17 utility helicopters.[49]
On 5 June 2000, a Ghana AirlinkFokker F-27 en route fromTamale toAccra crashed on approach to Kotoka International Airport. Six people were killed.[50]
On 28 January 2009, aGhana International AirlinesBoeing 757 operating fromAccra toLondon Gatwick, United Kingdom, with 96 passengers and nine crew reported anomalies with the control systems when climbing out ofAccra. The crew declared amayday and made a safe return to Kotoka International Airport where the remains of abeetle-like creature were discovered to be obstructing the leftpitot system.[51]
On 2 June 2012, anAllied AirBoeing 727 cargo aircraft operating fromLagos toAccra on behalf ofDHL with 4 crew overshot the runway while landing in heavy rain. At least 12 people on the ground were killed. The 4 crew all survived.[52]
Damaged Starbow ATR 72-500 on display near Tamale
On 28 October 2014, aStarbowBAe 146-200 from Accra toTakoradi Airport with 77 people on board suffered a hydraulic failure during climb out. The crew were forced to make an emergency landing in Accra without flaps, resulting in damage to the landing gear and a fire. Two persons were injured in the resulting emergency evacuation. The aircraft was written off.[53]
On 10 January 2015, anASKY AirlinesBoeing 737-43QSF (leased fromEthiopian Airlines), was damaged beyond repair in a landing accident and runway excursion. The aircraft was written off and there were no fatalities.[54]
On 25 November 2017, aStarbowATR 72-500 suffered a runway excursion due to the captain's seat sliding backward during the take-off roll. The aircraft struck the airport perimeter fence before coming to a halt. Five passengers were injured, and the aircraft was written off with significant damage.[55]
Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, domestic flights in Ghana were suspended from 30 March 2020, but resumed on 1 May 2020 under enhanced sanitary protocols.[56] Ghana was the first African country to resume domestic flights after a COVID-related suspension.[citation needed]
The international air borders of Ghana reopened for travelers on 1 September 2020, subject to certain conditions.[57] Passengers were required to undergo aPCR test in their country of origin no more than 72 hours prior to departure, and also undergo a furtherrapid antigen test upon arrival at Kotoka International Airport. A laboratory was set up at the airport for prompt processing of test results. The cost of the tests were set at US$50 for citizens ofECOWAS countries, and US$150 for all other citizens. Those testing negative on both tests were permitted to enterGhana without any further quarantine or restrictions, subject to clearance byGhana Immigration Service.[58]
In March 2022, theparliamentary opposition threatened to demonstrate at the airport in protest against the continued high costs for on-arrival testing of passengers.[61] Industry experts also warned that the high costs of testing were likely to suppress passenger numbers for 2022 if not addressed as a priority.[62] In response to this, the testing requirements for fully vaccinated passengers were waived effective 28 March 2022.[63]
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