Domestic airlines have started using an aircraft landing navigation system installed at the Kumasi Airport to enhance safety of aircrafts and passengers.

The €800,000 Instrument Landing System (ILS), which guides aircrafts in their finals when landing, is expected to curtail incidents of flight delays and cancellations due to poor weather conditions.

“With this Instrument Landing System in place, the agonizing moments of flight cancelations in the mornings or during the harmattan season will be a thing of the past,” said Transport Minister, Dzifa Attivor at project commissioning in Kumasi.

The ILS consist three components – localizer, glide path and distance measuring equipment – which transmit signals for aircrafts to pick.

Its multi-faceted use includes helping airlines to a runway touchdown point, providing an aircraft with a precision final approach and guiding the pilot during landing. It also provides aircraft guidance to the runway in both the horizontal and vertical lanes.

The Kumasi Airport will however require the installation of aeronautical ground lighting system to activate night flight operations.

The ILS was solely financed by the internally generated funds of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to positioning the facility for future increase in air traffic.

Director General of the GCAA, Air Cdre Kwame Mamphey the installation of the ILS would improve situational awareness for pilots ensure smooth landing.

The growth in the domestic aviation industry and the entry of new airlines calls for enhanced safety measures to ensure continuous safety of passengers.

The Transport Minister acknowledged the aviation sector has a role to play “as we strive to open up the country for the development of agriculture, trade and tourism.”

Mrs. Attivor says there are plans to build a new terminal building for the Kumasi Airport to cater for the increasing number of air transport passengers.

She called for private sector support in the GCAA’s drive to upgrade the Kumasi Airport to international standards.