I Need More Than an Airport- Otumfuo on Prempeh I Airport
The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has called for effective policies and measures to ensure the operationalization and viability of the Prempeh I International Airport.
His Majesty looks forward to operations by various airlines, attraction of investment, increased export, job creation and more in the newly commissioned international airport in the Ashanti Region.
He made this known to the Management of Aviance Ghana Limited, a Ghanaian company in ground handling when they paid him a courtesy call on May 31, 2024.
The delegation included the Managing Director of Aviance Ghana Limited, Mr Mark Kamis, the Operations Director, Michaela Walker and the Legal Counsel, Patience Adu Akwa.
Mr Kamis formally informed the King about their task to operate ground handling at Prempeh I Airport and boost economic activities in the region during their visit to the Palace.
“We are currently in Accra. We’ve been there for 30 years. We are here to request permission to come to Kumasi where we will attract more airlines and increase jobs. Thus our main goal is to develop Kumasi Airport. We have people in Accra who will come to Kumasi and create more jobs. It falls on myself and the director to increase business and bring airlines from Accra to Kumasi.”
In his address, Otumfuo indicated that the estimated capacity of the airport could be exceeded if the facility is operated effectively through the services of Aviance.
His Majesty’s confidence is in the volume of travellers who pass through Kumasi to travel out of the country.
“Passengers I’m told would be 800,000 to 1,000,000 but it can increase if it is run properly in terms of the service Aviance will be giving. Aircraft that come in will be dependent on you. If you don’t have the facilities, they won’t come. We are yearning to have 737 and others come.”
“You are doing it in Accra. Accra is bigger and Kumasi can also be big. Those travelling from here are huge. Sixty-seven per cent of those travelling pass through here and therefore that airport is even smaller. But we start from somewhere so we look up to you to be able to help.”
Additionally, he noted that he does not take pleasure in the dormant facility as it stands but looks forward to its operationalization and viability.
“All we are seeking is an airport that can attract investment and attract people to come and also how best it can inure to the benefits of the people of Ashanti and those in the northern sector and you in the industry know that it does not take just an airport. It goes with all that Aviance will, the reception for all the planes to come so that customers can come and investors take it up from there.
“It’s not just an airport that I need but we need an airport that would be operational to enable development. Therefore you come with the experience and advice in terms of what can be done to make this airport a more economically viable airport.”
Meanwhile, Otumfuo assured them of his assistance when needed.
