Skip to main content

Domestic air travels surge: Record highest patronage in 8 years


Since the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions in the country last year, domestic air travel has increased, recording the highest patronage in the last eight years, data from airport authorities have indicated.

According to the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), domestic passenger flows (throughput) jumped from 423,718 in 2020 to 722,721 in 2021, the highest since 2013.

This represents a 70.57 per cent surge in domestic passenger traffic over that of the previous year, indicating the full recovery of the aviation industry from the impact of the pandemic.

There was a halt in domestic air operations in Ghana between March 30 and April 20, 2020 as part of measures by the government to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

Experts have attributed the growth to strong consumer confidence in the aviation industry, which is hinged on safety, reliability and affordability.

Decade performance

Further analysis of the data released by the GACL shows fluctuations in the domestic air traffic.

From 543,379 passengers in 2012, the number of domestic air travellers rose to 778,466 in 2013, before declining to 421,986 in 2016.

The industry, which recorded 483,261 passengers in 2017, experienced a jump to 690,314 in 2019, after dropping again to 423,718 in 2020.

The number increased to 722,721 last year, with indications to grow further in the coming years.

The travellers were airlifted by Africa World Airlines (AWA) and Passion Air to and from Accra to the five regions with airports — Northern (Tamale), Ashanti (Kumasi), Western (Takoradi), Volta (Ho) and Upper West (Wa).

Kumasi processed 417,510 passengers, representing 57.8 per cent of the total throughput, while Tamale handled 207,216 passengers, representing 28.7 per cent of throughput, with Takoradi processing 92,949 passengers, representing 12.9 per cent.

Read also: Ghana: Five facts about the new Sunyani Airport you should know

Wa managed 4,696 passengers (0.6 per cent), while Ho, which began operations in December 2021, handled 350 travellers.

AWA carried 65 per cent of the throughput, while its competitor, Passion Air, handled the rest.

Expert opinion

An international aviation expert, Sean Mendis, said Ghana was one of the two countries in the world (the other being Russia) with a million annual domestic passengers that had shown actual growth in domestic air travel in 2021, as against pre-COVID-19 benchmarks in 2019.

That, he said, was an indication that policies adopted by stakeholders in the industry when domestic flights restarted in May 2020 had been successful.

Interestingly enough, the domestic market in the country is actually suppressed somewhat because neither of the domestic operators has been able to expand fast enough to keep up with the growing demand.

“I estimate that there is approximately 30-40 per cent of demand that is being spilled at the current price points, and likely as much as 150-200 per cent unmet demand at a lower price point,” he said.

According to Mendis, there was a huge potential for operators who would charge lower fares in the domestic market and provide the appropriate value proposition to more travellers.

Responding to market

The Head of Commercial at AWA, Adedayo Olawuyi, told the Daily Graphic in Accra that the upsurge in numbers was an indication that the market was responding to efforts put in place by stakeholders in the aviation industry.

Since the pandemic broke out, we have stayed in the market continuously, building capacity on all major routes and we can see that the market has responded adequately.

“The advent of COVID-19 also allowed a lot of people to start looking inward and we saw more intra-country travels since 2020, which has reflected in increased domestic traffic,” he said.

Source: Graphic

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

US-Based Doctor Supports Weija Leprosarium, Underprivileged Children In Ankaase With Cash & Food Items

 In a remarkable display of philanthropy, US-based medical practitioner, Dr. Kofi Kyei Sarfo, and the Sarfo family have made significant donations to support vulnerable communities in Ghana. During his visit to Ghana for the Christmas and New Year festivities, Dr. Sarfo and his family donated assorted food items and $5,000 to the Weija Leprosarium in Accra. This generous act aims to improve the lives of the inmates and support the tireless efforts of Rev. Father Andrew Campbell, founder of the Lepers Aid Committee. The donation to the Weija Leprosarium is a testament to Dr. Sarfo's commitment to giving back to his community. He praised Rev. Father Andrew Campbell for his selfless work in integrating cured lepers into society, emphasizing the need for continued support to ensure the well-being of the inmates. Dr. Sarfo encouraged others to follow in his footsteps, stating that every donation, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in the lives of the inmates. The don...

Nestlé Ghana Limited Wins Overall Best Industrial Company Of The Year at 13th AGI Industry & Quality Awards

  Nestlé Ghana Limited has been honored with four prestigious awards at the 13th Association of Ghana Industry and Quality Awards ceremony. The event, held in an esteemed setting, gathered prominent figures from Ghana’s industrial sector. Amidst the anticipation, Nestlé Ghana emerged as one of the evening’s notable winners, securing accolades in several key categories. This recognition underscores Nestlé Ghana’s relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation, marking a significant milestone that highlights the company’s substantial contributions to the manufacturing industry in Ghana. Nestlé Ghana's exceptional performance was acknowledged with the following awards: Overall Best National Quality Award, Diamond Category (Food) Overall Best Practices in Sustainable Manufacturing Best Company (Food Sector) Overall Industrial Company of the Year, affirming its status as a leader not only within the food sector but also across Ghana's entire industrial landscape. This success is a ...

Mfantsiman Girls to Host 65th Speech & Prize-Giving Day

  Mfantsiman Girls Senior High School is set to host the 65th Speech and Prize-giving Day and Homecoming from 14th to 16th March at Saltpond in the Central region. This year’s Speech and Prize-giving day is being hosted by the 2000-year group, and over 5000 old girls and students of Mfantsiman Girls are expected to attend the programme. Under the theme, ‘Leveraging New Media Technology to Optimize Girl Child Education,’ the event will emphasize the importance of harnessing technology to address the unique challenges faced by girls in accessing quality education, particularly in marginalized communities. By leveraging new media technology, we can create inclusive, interactive, and engaging learning environments that empower girls to reach their full potential. The theme will also serve as a call to action, encouraging students, educators, and stakeholders to explore innovative ways to integrate technology into girl child education, ultimately driving positive change and promoting a...