Sunyani Airport

History

The Sunyani Airport is one of GACL operated airports in Ghana and currently offers domestic air travel to the Bono Region. Originally a communication outpost and aerodrome, the Sunyani Airport was built in 1942 for use by the Allied Forces during World War II. The airstrip was later abandoned before the war ended. In 1969, the Government initiated the construction of a complete airport for the region and was officially opened on July 13, 1974.

In March 2016, the operations at the Sunyani Airport were halted as a result of safety concerns caused by visible deterioration of the airport’s airside pavements (runway, taxi link and apron). The closure meant that travellers, especially those of the business community, in the discharge of their socio-economic activities, could only travel in and out of the region by road. Journeys which were usually long, tiresome and stifles business activities.

Project Benefits

Completion of the project works at the Sunyani Airport reinforces the Ghana Airports Company Limited’s vision to be the Preferred Aviation Hub and Leader in Airport Business in West Africa. The upgrades, which have been done to meet set safety and security standards for aircraft landing and take-off by local and international regulators, facilitates the company’s drive to expand its operations to other parts of the country and to boost its revenue generation. Re-opening of the Sunyani Airport will unlock the economic potential of the regional capital, and its environs, and propel socio-economic development in a bustling Sunyani city and across the country.

The GHS52.25 million project works, funded jointly by the Government of Ghana and the GACL, commenced on October 25, 2019 and was expected to be completed in nine months. However, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 case management restrictions and the steady return to normal life, the project works recommenced and was completed in July 2022.

Project Details

The completed project works encompasses the reconstruction and extension of the existing 1,280- meter runway to 1,400-meters, paved and grooved to ensure safe aircraft operations. It also includes rehabilitation of existing taxilink, rehabilitation and upgrade of existing apron, resurfacing of internal roads, minimal renovation of the existing terminal building to process 100 passengers per hour. The terminal building has been fitted with a public address (PA) system, Flight Information Display Systems (FIDS), Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV), fire detection and protection systems, lighting and ventilation systems, Sewage disposal, water storage and distribution for terminal operations.

The Project Consultant, Engineering Services Provision Company Ltd (ESPCo) and the Project Contractor , Resource Access Limited (RAL) together engaged over 14 men and women to work on the project.

The Sunyani Airport was officially commissioned on Wednesday, August 3 2022 by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at a colorful ceremony.