A discussion among aviation experts, intercepted by SKB Journal, reveals that for Kumasi to become a commercially viable international route, the city will need an entirely new airport built at a different location. The experts argue that the current runway at the Kumasi International Airport is insufficient for commercial airlines to carry enough passengers to break even, let alone turn a profit.
In candid remarks, the experts expressed concerns about the decision to expand the airport to accommodate international flights, given that the available land space cannot support the length of runway required for larger, heavier aircraft to take off. “There’s no way a medium-sized jet can operate commercially and profitably from Kumasi to Europe with 80 passengers and their luggage nonstop,” one expert remarked. “The runway needs to be extended at all costs for this to be achievable.”
The chats, which occurred in December last year, revealed the experts’ frustration with political authorities and their representatives, who, according to them, disregarded professional advice and embarked on what they called a “wasteful” venture.
They pointed to the chartered flight organized in December 2024 as an attempt to create the impression that the Kumasi airport was ready for international commercial operations. One expert questioned why such a venture was even permitted, to which another expert responded: “We’re not the ones who call the shots on these types of junkets. My great disappointment and worry is with people, some of whom I know who defend and champion this jaunt.”
The challenge, they explain, lies in the length of the runway. Aircraft carrying a full load of passengers and baggage require a certain amount of runway to safely take off. Where the runway is too short, airlines are forced to reduce the number of passengers and luggage to lighten the load. This was evident during the inaugural flight at the newly christened Prempeh International Airport in December, where an aircraft with a 189-seat capacity only advertised between 80 and 120 seats and eventually carried fewer than 20 passengers.
“I just want to see the same machine loaded with even 80 pax out of Kumasi to London direct. This is not sustainable and if the politicians can’t get to understand this then sorry. I am being factual!”. another expert commented, referring to the chartered flight to London.
According to sources close to SKB Journal, officials were advised that it would be more prudent to build an entirely new airport at a site with adequate land, rather than expanding the existing one, if the goal was to operate a commercially viable international airport. Some experts have proposed that Kumasi could best be positioned as a hub for subregional flights using smaller aircraft, while a new airport could be built in the future to attract international airlines.
The experts are urging technocrats to prioritize professionalism and cautioning political authorities to heed expert advice. They stressed that the nation stands to lose significant sums of money when professional recommendations are ignored in favour of politically expedient decisions.
