Tamale Airport was founded as a main advanced operational base for troops during World War II. The landing strip was acquired at Nyohene, some two miles west of Tamale in December, 1940.
The Government of the first republic of Ghana approved a plan to build a new international airport to serve the military eleven miles north of Tamale on realizing its strategic position/importance. Although the project got off to a bright start, it was abandoned with the overthrow of the regime in 1966.
However, work on the airport resumed with some modifications to accommodate civil operations. Initially, the airport was manned by the Airforce, however with time assistance was sought from GCAA to provide personnel for telecommunications and to take charge of the RFFS and also Air Traffic Services.
Tamale Airport Development Phase I
Tamale Airport is used for both civil and military operations and for special international flights.
In September 2014, work commenced on the upgrade and expansion of Tamale Airport to International status. The development was in two phases. The first phase involved the upgrade and extension of the runway from 2438m to 3940m, construction of a new Apron and taxilink, rehabilitation of existing apron and the installation of Aeronautical Ground Lighting Systems. The project was commissioned August 2016 to coincide with the first flight for the 2016 Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca.
Tamale Airport now serves as an alternate to Kotoka International Airport and has capability to handle wide body aircraft in the event of an emergency at KIA.
Tamale Airport Development Phase II
The Tamale Airport expansion works is on-going and expected to be completed by the end of August 2022. The progress of work to date is about 95%. The expansion work is being carried out by Quiroz Galvao (QG) Construction UK Limited.
The Tamale Airport expansion works include the construction of a modern Terminal Building and other necessary Ancillary Facilities.
The scope of works comprises an Expandable Modular Airport Terminal Building designed for Annual Passenger Throughput of 400,000 capacity.
The expected features of the terminal building after completion include a VIP lounge; two Boarding Gates; four self-service check-in Kiosks; eight check-in desks; airline offices; commercial retail areas; a Multi-Purpose Terminal to include Hajj travel facilitation and a 5km Road Network among others.
The cost of the project is estimated at US$70,000,000.The Tamale Airport is currently the third busiest domestic airport in the country for flights originating from Accra’s Kotoka International Airport.
The two main domestic airlines, Africa World Airlines (AWA) and PassionAir, operate daily services with multiple frequencies to the Northern Regional Capital.
