Kotoka International Airport

Kotoka International Airport is the major airport for the capital of Ghana, Accra. Operated by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, the airport has the capacity to accommodate large passenger aircraft. The facilities at the airport comprises of both international & domestic terminals, along with offices for several airlines operating from the airport, along with a control tower and several hangars. The asphalt runway is 3403 metres / 11,165 feet long, and the airport caters for both civil & military aircraft.

Kotoka International Airport, complete with banners to celebrate Ghana's 50th Anniversary year of 2007 (January 2008)

As Kotoka International Airport is used for military purposes, photography of the airport is generally not permitted.

The international departure area of KIA, seen from the runway (January 2007)

The international terminal, opened by President John Agyekum Kufuor in 2004, comprises several storeys, with the arrivals area located on the lower level, and the check-in and departure areas at ground level and first floor respectively.

The control tower for KIA (January 2007)

Arrivals at Kotoka International Airport are ferried from their plane to an arrivals hall, where officers of the Department Of Immigration must check in arrivals. Queueing is separated into Ghanaian and non-Ghanaian residents, and the wait time in this hall, which is not air-conditioned, can be excessive, despite the speedy processing by officials. It is recommended that tourists obtain a visa to speed this process from the Ghanaian Embassy or High Commission in their home country, although on the spot visa can be granted.

From this point, arrivals claim their baggage, and exit the terminal after clearing customs. Crowds can sometimes gather to meet arrivals, so it is recommended to make arrangements regarding communication for anyone being met by someone at the arrivals exit.

Departures at Kotoka International Airport can be dropped off at the entrance, with maximum 3 minutes allowed for vehicles to park. The entrance to the check-in area is guarded by security guards, who do not generally allow non-ticket holders to enter the building, or even loiter at the entrance. It is recommended that should you wish to farewell friends, that you should try to do this prior, as it is unlikely you will be able to do this satisfactorily at this entrance.

Inside the departure area, check-in occurs for larger luggage. There are information booths available, along with several small offices for international airlines operating out of Accra.

KIA's international departure lounge (January 2007)

After clearing this area and obtaining a boarding pass, departing passengers head to the first floor, where customs & immigration officials check passports and take departure details, from which passengers enter a small departure area comprising two gates. A small bar and duty free shop operate in this area, and a public announcement system announces airlines and boarding information. When boarding is announced, airport buses ferry passengers to awaiting airliners for boarding.

KIA's Duty Free store (January 2007)

KLM, North-West Airlines (NWA), Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Alitalia all provide regular flights to and from Kotoka International Airport, with both passenger and cargo services

The significantly smaller domestic terminal is located adjacent to the international terminal, and comprises of both arrivals and departures area.

The domestic terminal is somewhat less developed, but is nontheless efficient in processing passengers to and from domestic flights. On the first floor, several offices are located, including Citilink, which provides regular flights from Accra to centres such as Tamale, Kumasi, and Sunyani.

The airport has a car park, and taxis can be easily obtained.