Accra’s Kotoka International Airport (IATA: ACC) is Ghana’s largest airport and the third largest in West Africa. Since the addition of Terminal 3, Kotoka International Airport can handle up to 5 million passengers a year. The airport reached its peak in 2019 with over 3 million passengers during the year-long Year of Return festivities.

The airport in Accra was initially named Accra International Airport after Kwame Nkrumah turned it from a military airport to a domestic airport in 1958. The airport was renamed after Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka in 1969.

Kotoka International Airport is a modern airport with room for the largest aircraft in the world. It serves as transit and destination spots for local and international travellers from all over the world to Ghana.

Ghana has a second airport in the Northern Region called Tamale Interntional Airport.

Airlines at Kotoka International Airport

Many International and domestic airlines pass through Accra’s airport. Africa World Airlines uses KIA as a regional hub. The airport in Accra is also the base for domestic PassionAir.

Some of the airlines that pass through KIA are: Brussels Airlines, KLM, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, Royal Air Maroc, and Delta Airlines.

A number of cargo planes also visit Kotoka International Airport. They include the domestic Air Ghana, Cargolux, Qatar Airways Cargo, DHL Aviation, and Emirates SkyCargo.

Where is the airport in Accra located?

Kotoka International Airport is located northwest of Accra off the Liberation Road. It is a short distance from the Cantonment residential area and lies a few minute’s drive from the Accra-Tema motorway.

How far is the city centre from Accra’s airport?

The airport in Accra is approximately 10 kilometres from the city centre. This is normally a 20-30 minute drive outside peak hours. The best way to get to the Accra city centre from Ghana’s KIA is by taxi. There are many taxi and car rental services at the airport that will take you to and from the airport.

Arriving at Kotoka International Airport, you can rent a car at the car park located right next to the arrival section. There are registered taxi services here as well for those looking for a chauffeur. Ride-hailing cabs like Uber and Bolt are not immediately available, though. One would have to walk outside the hotel to Airport Shell to grab one.

How to get to the Airport from the city centre

Kotoka International Airport is accessible via a number of routes throughout the capital. Located off the Liberation Road, travellers can reach KIA via a dedicated taxi ride straight to the departure or arrival sections.

Using public transport like trotro, you’ll have to drop off at a bus stop on the Liberation Road. Then you can walk to the main terminals. It’s a 5-minute walk. You can also hire a cab to take you there from the bus stop.

What services are there at KIA in Accra?

Accra’s Kotoka International Airport offers fantastic dining services for domestic, international, and transit passengers. The arrival section especially has options for local and international cuisine to whet your appetite.

There is also a business centre for those looking to make a last minute photocopy or print out a page for a business need. You can also buy a smartphone, sim card, airtime, or other small gadgets you would need during your short time at the airport.

Passengers who lose their baggage can contact KIA’s lost and found section to reclaim their lost items. You can also connect to the airport’s free WiFi to access the internet. A medical centre for emergency care is located some 500 metres from Terminals 3 and 2.

In addition, airlines offer lounges for VIP travellers at Ghana’s KIA. Hotels offer shuttle services for passengers to get to their booked rooms faster.

Duty Free stores at Accra’s Kotoka International Airport

Passengers can sample from a number of duty free stores at the airport in Accra. Some of the biggest brands are available for international passengers at Terminal 3. Sweets, baby products, beauty and fashion, as well as other luxury products are available at duty-free prices. You can buy products online and collect them during your travel at duty free stores at the Kotoka Airport.

Business Lounges at KIA

Kotoka International Airport operates three business lounges for business travellers to Ghana. They are Adinkra Lounge, Sanbra Lounge, and Akwaaba Lounge. 

Shopping near Kotoka International Airport

In addition to duty free stores at the airport, a number of shopping malls are available near the airport. The closest mall is the Marina Shopping Mall, which is only a 5 minute’s walk from Terminal 3. 

Accra Mall is about a 5-minute drive from the airport itself. Here, you can buy from international luxury brands. Tech gadgets, beauty and fashion accessories, groceries, are all on sale at the Accra Mall.

The surrounding Airport City Centre offers business travellers to Ghana a wide range of services. Many accommodation options exist here. You’ll also find the offices of some of the biggest firms within the Airport City Centre.

Airport Shell Shopping Centre also offers a variety of foods at its smaller shop.

Hotels near Kotoka International Airport

Passengers looking for accommodations near Kotoka International Airport are in luck. The closest is the Airport View Hotel, which is on the other side of the Liberation Road. Business travellers can book spaces at Villagio Aqua Apartment. There is also Airport West Hotel and Crown Apartments a few minute’s drive into the Airport residential area, while Golden Tulip Hotel is further south.

Accra Kotoka International Airport Parking

Parking at Kotoka International Airport is convenient for international and domestic passengers. There are up to 5 parking areas at the airport. Terminal 3 has a designated car park for international departures and arrivals. There is another at Terminals 1 and 2 for domestic travelers. Other parking areas are available for those looking for a place to park their cars.

The airport in Acca offers short, long, and overnight parking for interested parties. Charges are normally by the hour.

How many terminals are at KIA?

There are three (3) terminals at the Kotoka International Airport. Terminal One is designated for private flights, Terminal Two for domestic flights from around the country. Terminal Three is for international departures and arrivals, and is the largest and newest part of the airport in Accra. 

Terminal 3 has 6 boarding bridges to ease passenger movement. The terminal can process 1,250 passengers every hour.

Kotoka International Airport Information Desk

There is an information desk at each terminal at the airport. For more information, you can reach the airport’s management at: 

KA PMB 36 KIA
Accra, Ghana

Digital Address: GL – 125 – 6946
Tel: +233 (0) 302 550 612

Kotoka International Airport Covid-19 Guidelines

As of 1st September 2022, all passengers arriving at Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport need to be vaccinated. Passengers also have to fill out the Port Health declaration Form prior to embarking a flight to Ghana. Fully vaccinated travellers will be exempted from any COVID-19 test requirement prior to and upon arrival in Ghana.

Partially or unvaccinated travellers will need to present a negative PCR test before boarding a flight. The test should have been administered at most 48 hours prior to travel to Ghana. Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals will also undergo a PCR test upon arrival at KIA in Ghana.

The only exceptions are children under 18 years.

Transiting passengers will have to adhere to all COVID-19 regulations in Ghana. 

There are COVID-19 PCR test centres at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra for international travellers.

Local tips: what to know before flying to airport

A trotro ride is the cheapest way to reach Accra’s Kotoka International Airport. Since trotros are not allowed to enter the airport proper, though, you’d have to walk some 5 minutes before getting to any of the three terminals at the airport.

The best way to reach KIA is by taxi service. There are drop-off zones at each terminal at KIA, and a taxi or Uber ride could drop you off right in front of the departure area. However, pickups are not allowed at the arrival or departure sections. Passengers arriving or leaving Kotoka International Airport would have to walk to the nearest Terminal 3 car park to board their vehicles.

There are also direct flights to the Tamale International Airport and Kumasi International Airport.

What to do in Accra

Arriving at Kotoka International Airport is the first step to exploring Accra. From cheering horses at the nearby Accra Polo Club, to unwinding at the various beaches, there is a lot to do and see during your time in Accra.