Omanghana
President John Dramani Mahama is scheduled to cut the sod on Thursday, August 27, 2026, for the construction of a seven-story, multipurpose car park and airport hotel complex at Accra International Airport.
The development is intended to ease vehicular congestion, increase parking capacity and expand the hospitality, retail and commercial facilities available at Ghana’s main international aviation gateway.
The sod-cutting ceremony will formally mark the start of construction, although site preparation, hoarding and contractor mobilization are already underway.
More Than 2,000 Parking Bays Planned
A central component of the project is a seven-story structure providing more than 2,000 parking spaces.
The new facility will replace the former Terminal 3 car park, which had capacity for only 513 vehicles and was considered inadequate for current passenger and visitor numbers.
Congestion has been especially severe during peak travel periods, when vehicles waiting to pick up or drop off passengers spill into surrounding roads.
Increasing capacity to more than 2,000 bays is expected to improve vehicle movement around the terminal and provide more organized spaces for private cars, taxis, ride-hailing operators and other airport users.
The Ghana Airports Company Limited closed the former Terminal 3 parking facility on July 20, 2026, to make the site available for the project.
A temporary Terminal 3 Car Park Annex with space for more than 600 vehicles has been constructed to serve the public during the building period.
Two Hotels Included in Development
The complex will include two hotels offering accommodation to international travelers, airline crews, transit passengers and other visitors.
On-site hotel facilities could provide greater convenience for passengers experiencing long connections, delayed flights or early departures.
They are also expected to support conferences, business travel and aviation-related activities within the airport enclave.
The wider development is intended to transform the airport from a transport facility into a more comprehensive commercial and hospitality destination.
Covered Connection to Terminal
A pedestrian connector will link the complex directly to the terminal building.
The covered passage will allow passengers to move between the car park, hotels and terminal without being exposed to rain or intense sunlight.
It is expected to improve convenience for travelers carrying luggage while reducing the need to cross busy vehicle lanes.
Its design could also enhance accessibility for older passengers, children and people with disabilities.
Shopping, Dining and Office Facilities
The development will feature a shopping mall containing a food court, specialized retail outlets and commercial office spaces for lease.
These facilities are expected to increase the airport’s non-aeronautical revenue while expanding the services available to passengers and visitors.
Retailers may serve travelers, airport employees, nearby businesses and members of the public using the wider Airport City area.
The office spaces could also provide accommodation for airlines, travel companies and other aviation-related businesses seeking locations close to the terminal.
Sky Lounge and Aircraft Observation Area
Plans for the complex include a sky lounge designed for entertainment and relaxation.
A separate observation area will provide panoramic views of aircraft taking off and landing.
The viewing facility is expected to become an attraction for aviation enthusiasts, tourists, families and other visitors.
Together with the hotels, restaurants and shopping areas, the observation deck could encourage visitors to spend more time within the airport complex even when they are not travelling.
Project Expected to Take 24 Months
Construction is expected to be completed within 24 months.
Ghana Airports Company Limited Managing Director Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare told Parliament’s Committee on Roads and Transportation that the site had been handed over to the contractor.
“We’ve started this project, we’ve handed over to the contractor and they are mobilizing to site now as we speak,” she said.
She expressed confidence that the facility would be completed and ready for commissioning within two years.
GACL will oversee the project as the state-owned operator responsible for managing Accra International Airport and Ghana’s other commercial airports.
Airport Development Charge to Support Infrastructure
The development forms part of airport improvement projects supported by the Airport Infrastructure Development Charge.
Introduced on April 1, 2026, the levy is imposed on departing passengers, with the amount varying according to the category of travel.
The government says proceeds will finance improvements including parking expansion, hotel facilities, sewerage infrastructure and other airport upgrades.
Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe previously defended the charge as necessary to modernize Ghana’s airports and strengthen the country’s ambition of becoming a major aviation hub.
He said the existing parking area was too small and frequently overflowed during peak periods.
The charge has, however, faced criticism from some stakeholders who argue that passengers already pay several aviation-related fees and that additional levies could increase the cost of travel.
Project Expected to Improve Airport Experience
The new complex is expected to address several long-standing challenges around Terminal 3, including inadequate parking, traffic congestion and limited on-site accommodation.
Its commercial facilities could also broaden GACL’s income sources beyond landing, passenger and airline charges.
The sod-cutting ceremony will bring President Mahama back to the airport associated with Terminal 3, one of the major infrastructure projects initiated during his previous administration.
Once completed, the seven-story complex is expected to provide more than 2,000 parking bays, two hotels, retail and office facilities, dining spaces, a sky lounge and an aircraft observation area within a single integrated development.
Source: Omanghana
