Jetsanza.com has sighted a draft memo to Cabinet by the Aviation Ministry proposing the handing over of the management of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to a private company.
According to the memo, the private company, TAV Airport Holding Company limited, has sent a proposal to the Aviation Ministry to take over the management of KIA “to help bring about the physical development of the airport enclave.”
The Ministry, which is considering the proposal, has urged Cabinet to “consider and convey policy approval for the Ministry of Aviation to facilitate the engagement of Tav Airports Holding Company Limited as a strategic partner for the management of Kotoka International Airport.”
The ministry stated in the proposal that “the participation of the private sector will bring about the needed equity investment for the transformation of the sector thereby making the KIA achieve competitive status within the West African Sub-Region and the continent as a whole.”
It also said such move will be to provide “the needed financial strength for infrastructure and technological investment in the sector.”
TAV Airport Holding Company limited operates Istanbul Atatürk Airport, Ankara Esenboğa Airport, Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Milas-Bodrum Airport and Antalya Gazipaşa Airport in Turkey, Tbilisi Airport and Batumi International Airport in Georgia, Monastir Habib Bourguiba International Airport and the Enfidha – Hammamet International Airport in Tunisia,the Skopje International Airport and Ohrid “St. Paul the Apostle” International Airport in the Republic of Macedonia.
Under the company’s management, Istanbul Atatürk Airport won Best Airport at Air Transport News Awards 2016, and also saw 61.8 million passengers using the Airport in 2015.
Aside airport management, TAV Airport Holding engages in other branches of airport operations as well including duty-free sales, food and beverage services, ground handling services, information technologies and security.
General Directorate of State Airports recognised the firm as the leading airport operator in Turkey in its 2010 passenger statistics including transfer passengers.
If the Parliament of Ghana approves the proposal from the Aviation Ministry, TAV Airports will take over from Ghana Airports Company Limited as managers of KIA.
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