The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has halted its planned $20 round-trip passenger fee in response to scrutiny from Parliament.
This was after members of Parliament urgently summoned Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah to address alarming allegations concerning new maintenance fees imposed by the GACL.
In a letter released earlier this week by the GACL management, the Chairperson of the Airport Operators Committee of Kotoka International Airport was notified about the implementation of a new fee for departing travelers. This fee was intended for maintenance purposes to help cover the costs of baggage belt repairs and other crucial maintenance work at the airport.
In addition to introducing a $20 fee for round-trip airline tickets, the GACL clarified that $10 of the fee would be applied to each leg of the journey, with the fee intended to take effect from May 1, 2024.
Former Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, raised the issue during a parliamentary session where he described the fee as unlawful, which pointed out the lack of approval from Parliament over the fee imposition.
Hon. Iddrisu further stated that the $20 fee imposed by the GACL is unconstitutional and violates the charges act.
In turn, the GACL released a statement to announce the halt of the fee.
The statement, dated 14th March, 2024, revealed that due to the turn of events in relation the issue at hand, discussions concerning the fee is still ongoing, hence the need for a pause over the fee imposition.
Further information over the subsequent developments on the issue would be communicated to all necessary stakeholders in due time.
“GACL wishes to place on record that deliberations were ongoing with the Airline Operators Committee (AOC) and the Board of Airline Representatives Ghana in consultation with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and further meetings had been scheduled in respect of the matter.”
“In the circumstance, GACL has taken a decision to put on hold all discussions on this. In the future, if and when a decision is reached, IATA will communicate same to all stakeholders.”
–
Story by: Golda Quartey | univers.ug.edu.gh
