Airports in Ghana serve important business, political, and economic purposes. In large economies, airports provide quick transfers for passengers and goods, boosting trade and human mobility.

Ghana’s airports were built to serve specific purposes. The major airports like Accra Kotoka International Airport were initially designed to transfer troops to aid the British in their wars. Kumasi Airport served a similar purpose until both were repurposed into civilian airports to serve the populace.

Ghana’s Airports and Aviation Dreams

There are at least three modern airports in Ghana today. They serve domestic and international travellers from Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Many of the world’s largest aircraft land at Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport.

Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana is planning to develop Ghana into a major aviation hub in West Africa. This has led to plans to expand existing airports in Ghana and build additional airports in other areas.

What are the international airports in Ghana?

Ghana has three international airports. They are the Accra Kotoka International Airport (ACC), Kumasi Airport (KMS) and Tamale International Airport (TML). Kumasi Airport has been designated an international status. However, it can serve mid-sized aircraft and only accepts airlines from the sub-region.

1. Accra Kotoka International Airport (ACC)

Accra Kotoka International Airport (ACC) is Ghana’s largest airport. A modern center with a passenger capacity of 5 million per year, the airport in Accra has numerous amenities including business lounges, free WiFi, gift shops, and restaurants to sample local and international cuisine.

2. Tamale International Airport (TML)

Tamale International Airport (TML) is the third busiest airport in Ghana by passenger traffic. Located a few miles out of Tamale city center, the airport serve domestic passengers out of Accra as well as Hajj pilgrims traveling to Mecca, Saudi.

3. Kumasi Airport (KMS)

Kumasi International Airport (KMS) is an ambitious project to upgrade a once domestic port into an international one. Currently, the airport in Kumasi serves mostly domestic flights coming out of Kotoka International Airport in Accra. However, Kumasi International Airport also serves mid-sized aircraft coming out of the sub region.

What are the domestic Airports in Ghana?

There are five domestic and regional airports in Ghana. These are:

Sunyani Airport (NYI);
Takoradi Airport (TKD);
Ho Airport;
Wa Airport;
Navrongo Airport.

Sunyani Airport, Takoradi Airport, and Wa Airport are the only airports in Ghana currently operating regular domestic flights in Ghana. Airlines have complained of a lack of patronage to Ho Airport and have therefore suspended flights to Ho. Navrongo Airport serves as a military airstrip for the meantime.

Sunyani Airport (NYI)

The Sunyani Airport (IATA: NYI) is a small domestic airport that serves the Bono Region and the rest of Ghana’s central belt. Starting off as a small aerodrome in the early 1940s to serve forces for the world war, it was upgraded to a complete airport in 1974.

Once fully operational, the Sunyani Airport will process 100 passengers per hour.

Takoradi Airport (TKD)

The Takoradi Airport operates out of Ghana’s Western Region. In 2021, just under 100,000 passengers passed through its boarding gates, making it Ghana’s fourth busiest airport.

Ho Airport

The Ho Airport was opened in 2017. With a passenger capacity of 150,000 per year, Ho is not the biggest airport in the region. However, it will serve business and tourism activities in the Volta Region. The Ho Airport will also have a pilot training school and aircraft maintenance facility. This will make the airport in the Volta Region a valuable infrastructure in the country’s bid to become a regional aviation hub.

Wa Airport (WZA)

The Wa Airport was completed in 2019, making it the newest of all airports in Ghana. The airport is located in Wa, the Upper West Regional capital. 

Wa Airport provides flights from Tamale International Airport. Africa World Airlines and PassionAir the two airlines currently operating flights to Wa Airport.

Navrongo Airport

The Navrongo Airport is a domestic airstrip located in Ghana’s Upper East Region. The airstrip serves the Paga environs and has just enough services for a regional airbase. It is primarily a military base as no domestic or international airline flies out of Navrongo Airport.

What is the largest airport in Ghana?

The largest airport in Ghana is Accra Kotoka International Airport (ACC). The airport in Accra can handle 5 million people every year. It is the third largest airport in West Africa. The airport is located off the Liberation Road in Accra. 

Which airlines fly from Ghana to the USA?

The most popular airlines fly from Ghana to the USA on a regular basis. Many operate daily flights to New York or Washington DC. 

Some of the airlines that fly from the USA to Ghana are: Delta Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Emirates.

Which airlines fly out of Ghana?

The world’s largest airlines fly out of Ghana on frequent direct and indirect flights. Some operate daily flights to and from Kotoka International Airport in Accra. 

The major airlines that fly out of Ghana include: Ethiopian Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Brussels Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, and British Airways.

Local airlines that operate in Ghana are PassionAir and Africa World Airlines.

Which airlines will fly to the 2022 Qatar World Cup?

Qatar Airways will send fans to the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The Doha-based airline already operates daily flights from Accra to Doha on the Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Football fans looking to enjoy the FIFA World Cup in Qatar should book their tickets in advance.