The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has announced that travellers using the Kotoka International Airport will pay an extra $20 on all round-trip air tickets.
This directive takes effect on May 1, 2024.
In a letter signed by the Managing Director of GACL, Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, and addressed to the Chairperson of the Airport Operators Committee, this is to help cover the cost of baggage belt repairs and other maintenance work in the airport.
“Further to discussions with the executives of the Airport Operators Committee regarding our baggage belt overhauling and maintenance issues, the Board of Directors of Ghana Airports Company Limited, in consultation with the Ministry of Transport, is instituting maintenance charge of $20 on all round-trip airline tickets ($10 to be charged each way.
“This fee will be effective May 1, 2024,” the letter said.
Meanwhile, parliament has summoned the Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, to appear before the House on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, over the $20.
This follows concerns raised by the Minority Caucus over the introduction of the fee.
MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, indicated that the Ghana Airports Company Limited colluded with the Transport Minister on the charges and so he must be invited to explain the authority on which the fee is being charged.
“What authority does the Ghana Airport Company have to impose fees and charges and are these charges consistent with the Fees and Charges Act approved by the Parliament of Ghana?
“Mr. Speaker, I think the Transport Minister must be hauled to Parliament to explain the authority with which they are charging the fees and whether it is consistent with our Fees and Charges Act,” he said.
