The Aviation Minister has said the completion of the new Kumasi Airport is expected to increase domestic air traffic from about 500,000 to a million flights per year.

Joseph Kofi Addah said the project started by government in 2018 once completed will provide jobs, boost the local economy and direct investment flow.

It involves the expansion of the runway, construction of a new terminal building with modern state of the art facilities, a new apron for more and even bigger aircraft and a new air traffic control tower.

The project, which is currently about 55% complete, is in its third phase.

The Minister was speaking during a tour of the construction site by engineers of the Brazillian construction company, Contractor.

Mr Kofi Addah told the press the new Kumasi Airport project holds high promise for jobs, investment drive and a boost for the local economy.

“In terms of flight movement, there will be an increase of available space to do accommodate more aircrafts coming here. Passengers too will be far higher than what we have now.

"Between the two, all the supporting salary services, shops among others will bring in the potential for jobs,” the Minister explained.

He was impressed with female Ghanaian civil engineers employed on the project by the company.

The new airport would have space for one of the biggest aircrafts when completed. Managing Director for the Ghana Airports Company limited, Yaw Kwakwa explains.

“Boeing 737-800 is a plane that some of the international airline are using to come to Accra. It tells us that we can also go from here to Europe.

"All the major European centres can be reached by Boeing 737-800 and therefore we can go to Europe from Kumasi easily,” he said.

Brazilian Construction company, Contractor hopes to complete the project partly for use before the April 2021 deadline.