Passenger safety assured despite weather challenges – GCAA

Despite the visibility challenges that come with the Harmattan, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is giving the flying public assurance of their safety at the country’s airports.

The Harmattan season characterized by dry and dusty winds is expected to intensify during the months of January and February. 

The poor visibility conditions during the period, in extreme cases, could prompt flight delays, diversions and possible cancellations bringing disruptions to regular flight operations.

However, the Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Engineer Simon Allotey has assured the necessary infrastructure is in place to ensure flight safety.

According to t0 Mr Allotey, Ghana’s airports are well equipped with the best equipment to ensure safe landing and takeoff of planes to avert accidents and incidents.

He explained, “Kotoka International Airport is a very safe airport, it has several instruments such as navigational aids, automatic weather observation systems and more so we can get information on the weather, the wind, temperature and the wind speed, the visual range of the runway, the cloud heights and more which is passed on to the pilots to help them make informed decisions when they are flying in and out of our airports”.

He called for effective communication between the Airlines and passengers in case of disruptions to avoid confusion.

Passengers connecting to international flights from the regional airports, especially those in the Northern Sector of the Accra Flight Information Region such as the Kumasi, Tamale and Wa Airports, where it is expected that the Harmattan effect will be severe are also advised to book early flights from the regional airports to ensure they do not wind up missing their connecting flights. 

Engineer Simon Allotey explained that it is important for passengers to factor in some extra hours to cater for any delays.