The Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), James Agalga, has defended the recent increase in airport passenger service charges, describing the old pricing structure as outdated and financially unsustainable.
He said the previous system limited the company’s ability to expand infrastructure and compete with other major aviation hubs on the continent.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Mr Agalga explained that GACL had been operating under a revenue model that had not been significantly revised in about 14 years.
According to him, this situation made it difficult for the company to function effectively as a profit-driven state enterprise.
“Prior to the recent revision, we were effectively working with revenue margins that were set nearly 14 years ago,” he said. “That is not sustainable for an entity that is expected to operate as a profit-making company.”
New Charges for Air Travelers
Under the new structure, domestic passengers now pay an additional GH₵100 per one-way ticket.
Regional travellers are expected to pay up to $30 more, while international passengers face surcharges of $50 for one-way trips and $100 for return journeys.
Mr. Agalga said the earlier charge, introduced under a 2010 amendment, set domestic fees at GH₵5. However, he argued that GACL never received the full amount due to deductions made for other state agencies.
Revenue Sharing Reductions Explained
He explained that portions of the airport service charge were allocated to several institutions, significantly reducing what GACL retained.
“Instead of getting 5 cedis, we get 4 cedis 15 pesewas,” Mr. Agalga noted. “Cumulatively, 17% of the airport service charge was taken away for the benefit of other state agencies.”
He further broke down the deductions as follows:
- 7.5% to the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
- 5% to the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet)
- 1.5% to the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau
- 3% to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for collections
Push to Upgrade Aviation Infrastructure
The GACL Board Chairman stressed that the new charges are necessary to support Ghana’s ambition of becoming a leading aviation hub in Africa.
He said the country must invest heavily in airport infrastructure to compete with airlines and aviation systems in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa.
“Ghana positions itself as the aviation hub of Africa,” he said. “To do that, we must roll out our airport infrastructure in a manner that truly positions us to compete.”
He also noted that GACL was established as a limited liability company and is expected to operate on commercial principles.
“Government in its wisdom established GACL as a limited liability company,” he explained. “It is supposed to be a profit-making venture.”
Charges Still Among Lowest in Region
Mr. Agalga added that the GH₵5 charge introduced in 2010 had remained unchanged despite inflation and currency depreciation over the years.
He argued that even at the time of introduction, Ghana’s airport charges were among the lowest in the sub-region compared to neighbouring countries.
Revenue to Improve Services
He assured the public that the additional revenue from the revised charges would be used to improve airport infrastructure, enhance passenger experience, and strengthen aviation safety systems.
While the new fees have generated public debate, GACL maintains that the adjustments are necessary to secure long-term growth and competitiveness in Ghana’s aviation sector.
By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang
