The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) is pushing forward a new wave of aviation-focused infrastructure and commercial projects to reposition Kotoka International Airport (KIA) as a fully integrated hub for Ghana’s emerging 24-hour economy.
This forms part of the broader Ghana Reset Agenda, with GACL aligning airport operations, revenue streams and commercial developments to support round-the-clock activity, job creation and enhanced passenger experience.
Currently, GACL runs two major revenue streams – aeronautical and non-aeronautical.
While aeronautical earnings such as the Airport Passenger Service Charge (APSC), aircraft landing and parking fees and navigation charges are critical, they are highly regulated and offer limited room for growth.
To support 24-hour operations, the company is aggressively scaling up non-aeronautical revenues including car park operations, commercial royalties, land subleases and rental income.
These earnings have become important for airport sustainability, particularly sustaining operations during the COVID-19 shutdown when no flights operated.
Since 2024, Managing Director of GACL, Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, has led major reforms in land administration.
A new policy now requires that full upfront payment before documentation is released for land-related transactions; which is a shift from past arrangements that led to debt accumulation.
This year alone, the company recovered 2.6 acres of land from a long-standing debtor, demonstrating a renewed commitment to revenue protection, transparency and efficient use of airport lands.
Again, GACL is expanding its car parking capacity from 513 to 2,000 bays to unlock new non-aeronautical revenue.
The upgrade is designed to reduce congestion, increase convenience and support steady economic activity through 24-hour car park management shifts.
Car parks remain one of the most profitable non-aviation assets for airports worldwide, and GACL’s expansion aligns with industry standards in Dubai, Heathrow and Changi.
One of the most aviation-specific projects in the pipeline is the construction of a dedicated inter-terminal concourse linking Terminal 2 (T2) and Terminal 3 (T3).
Currently, passengers arriving at T2 must navigate outdoor walkways or board vehicles to access T3.
The new concourse is a hallmark feature of top-tier airports which will allow seamless indoor movement, shielding travellers from weather elements while enhancing comfort and safety.
The concourse will also include 24-hour retail shops, duty-free outlets, lounges, cafés and other commercial spaces designed to boost passenger spending and create new jobs.
GACL’s transformation aligns with global best practices adopted by leading airports:
- Diversified income models: Increasing the share of non-aeronautical revenue, following examples from Singapore Changi and Incheon.
- Aerotropolis-style land use: Leveraging airport lands to develop commercial and real estate activities.
- Modern infrastructure & customer experience: Investing in capacity expansions such as the 2,000-bay car park and T2–T3 concourse.
- Governance & transparency: Requiring Board approval for all land and business transactions.
- Sustainability & economic integration: Expanding airport services that support Ghana’s 24-hour economic framework.
With these projects, GACL is positioning Kotoka International Airport not only as a national aviation gateway but as a commercial and logistical nerve centre capable of supporting continuous economic activity.
The integration of modern aviation infrastructure, strengthened revenue systems and global-standard operational reforms signals GACL’s commitment to building a resilient, competitive and economically aligned airport system for Ghana’s future.
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