The development of Terminal 3 at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) began in October 2015 by the operator and manager of the airport, Ghana Airports Company (GACL).
The project opening ceremony was held in March 2016. The construction of the new terminal was completed in June 2018 and opened to traffic in September 2018.
The new terminal built at KIA was part of GACL’s investment strategy to renovate regional airports under its management.
The Accra Airport expansion program created 900 temporary jobs and 760 permanent jobs during the operation and maintenance phase.
Location
The airport is spread over 1,610 acres in Accra and is located approximately 10 kilometers from the city center.
KIA’s expansion goals
KIA’s expansion supports the country’s ambition to upgrade its vital infrastructure by modernizing and transforming Kotoka Airport into a gateway to West Africa and a regional aviation hub.
It also contributes to the country’s economy by facilitating market connectivity and reducing business costs.
The KIA expansion also supports the Ghana Joint Development and Development Program and highlights the need to rehabilitate and expand infrastructural facilities in the transport sector.
The project is also in line with the priorities identified in the National Airport System Plan 2014.
KIA Terminal 3 design elements
The new international terminal building T3 at KIA has been designed according to the latest requirements of the International Air Transport Association based on the optimal level of service.
Access to the terminal is provided via the new main road, constructed as part of the project.
The main entrance provides easy access to the terminal, located in front of the main check-in area.
The check-in area reflects Ghanaian culture and ideals. The terminal is a short walk from a surface car park.
KIA Terminal 3 details
The new terminal (T3) has modern airport terminal facilities with five floors on a total area of ​​48,268m2.2 and 28,260 m2 partially covered make-up luggage areas.
The terminal has six contact bases for Code E aircraft and two additional remote bases.
Terminal T3 has the capacity to handle five million passengers per year and can handle 1,250 passengers at peak times.
It has dedicated transit facilities, a commercially important terminal, a large retail and commercial area spanning 7,000m.2six boarding bridges, three business lounges, six fixed connections and seven air bridges expandable to eight.
Parking spaces with a capacity of 707 cars are available.
The arrivals area on Levels 1 and 2 features a meet and greet area, 24 immigration counters, four e-gate bays expandable to six, four 80m inclined carousels expandable to six and four baggage claim areas with fully automated baggage handling system , capable of handling 3,000 bags in an hour.
The departures area on level 3 of the terminal has 56 check-in desks, 26 passport control counters, including four e-gate locations and eight central control security lanes, I-validate, 22 airline ticketing desks, a pre-screening area, a large business lounge, six boarding gates and a bus boarding lounge.
The food court is located on the mezzanine level of level 4, while level 5 has two large business lounges.
Pin 3 power details
The terminal is powered by four powered generator sets equipped with Perkins engines.
Two units are powered by Perkins 61 liter 4016-61TRG3 engines, each providing up to 2500 kVA standby power, while the other two units use Perkins 46 liter 4012-46TWG2A engines, delivering 1600 kVA each.
Terminal 3 Project Funding
In 2015, GACL secured $250 million from a consortium of banks led by Ecobank Capital to build T3.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $120 million loan, marking the first private sector investment in Ghana’s transport sector.
The rest of the cost was covered by a combination of AfDB funds, corporate loans from development finance institutions and commercial banks.
The total investment program of 400 million dollars includes renovations at the regional airports owned by GACL.
Contractors involved
Turkish construction company Mapa Construction MNG Holding has signed a contract for the design and construction concept of Kotoka Airport T3.
Arup, a design firm, supported Mapa Construction by providing planning, architectural design and engineering services for the new terminal.
Micheletti, a civil engineering firm, acted as the main civil works subcontractor for the construction of the modern T3 terminal at Accra Airport.
GACL entered into a five-year agreement with SITA, an IT provider for the aviation industry, to maintain and operate all key systems at the new terminal in October 2019.
The operator selected the Turkish brand Aksa to supply four power generator sets, equipped with Perkins engines.
ADK Consortium, an engineering and consulting services provider, carried out geotechnical investigations and surveying work for the new terminal building.
Joalku Concrete, a concrete solutions provider, supplied ready-mix concrete, cement mix, aggregates, sand, water and admixtures for the project in accordance with European Standard EN 206.