The best domestic airlines in Ghana and their fares listed
The Ghanaian aviation industry has seen a significant reduction in domestic airlines over the years. Now only two main players remain: Africa World Airlines and Passion Air. These airlines hold a virtual monopoly in the domestic market, ensuring connectivity across the country with their extensive flight networks and reliable service.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Domestic airlines in Ghana and their fares
- Domestic cargo and charter airlines in Ghana
- What are the requirements for domestic flights in Ghana?
- Do I need a passport for domestic flights in Ghana?
- How many domestic airlines are there in Ghana?
- What are the 4 major local airlines in Ghana?
- How much does Passion Airlines charge for a flight from Accra to Tamale?
- How much is the flight from Accra to Kumasi (price in Cedis)?
- How long is the flight from Accra to Kumasi?
- How many airports are in Ghana?
- What is the largest airport in West Africa?
Key takeaways
- Ghana has two commercial domestic airlines: Africa World Airlines (AWA) and Passion Air.
- Africa World Airlines (AWA) operates a fleet of eight Embraer ERJ-145LR jets and serves Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and Takoradi.
- Passion Air operates five Bombardier Dash8 – Q400 aircraft and serves Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, Wa, and Sunyani.
- Booking for both airlines is available online. Passion Air also allows mobile money payments.
Domestic airlines in Ghana and their fares
Ghana's domestic aviation industry boasts several airlines that excel in providing efficient and reliable services to travellers. Africa World Airlines and Passion Air dominate the commercial domestic flight sector, while GianAir and McDan Aviation offer charter, cargo, and medical evacuation services. Here is a detailed breakdown of the best domestic airlines in Ghana and their fare charts:
Africa World Airlines (AWA)
Source: UGC
Africa World Airlines (AWA) was founded by Togbe Afede XIV on 15 November 2010 and started flying on 21 September 2012. Its headquarters are at Airport City Accra, and its primary hub is at Kotoka International Airport in Accra.
AWA has a fleet of eight in-service aircraft, all Embraer ERJ-145LR jets with a carrying capacity of 50 passengers. It offers domestic commercial flights to Accra (hub), Kumasi, Tamale, and Takoradi.
Africa World Airlines ticket prices
Africa World Airlines ticket booking is done online by visiting their official website. The fare product classes for AWA include:
- Promo fare: Tickets are changeable but non-refundable.
- Regular fare: Tickets are changeable and refundable at a fee.
- Flexi fare: Free ticket changes and refunds, up to 4 hours to scheduled departure.
- Super Flexi fare: Tickets have free changes and refunds up to 4 hours to scheduled departure.
Here are the ticket prices (one-way) for Africa World Airlines to various destinations in Ghana (as of this writing):
| Route | Flight time (direct) | Promo | Regular (cedis) | Flexi (cedis) | Super Flexi (cedis) |
| Accra to Kumasi (up to 8 flights daily) | 40 min | From ₵791 | ₵1,246 | ₵1,518 | ₵2,044 |
| Accra to Tamale (up to 4 flights daily) | 1 hr | From ₵746 | ₵1,546 | ₵1,766 | ₵2,364 |
| Accra to Takoradi (up to 3 flights daily/Tue–Sun) | 40 min | From ₵1,002 | ₵1,100 | ₵1,270 | ₵1,687 |
Passion Air
Passion Air, operated by Pisces Aviation Limited, is a wholly owned Ghanaian company headquartered in Accra with its hub at Kotoka International Airport. Incorporated in July 2015, Passion Air received its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in September 2017.
Source: UGC
Initially providing charter operations for the oil and gas industry, Passion Air commenced commercial operations in August 2018.
Passion Air operates a fleet of four Bombardier Dash8 – Q400, 78-seater aircraft. Three aircraft are used for commercial operations, and one is dedicated to charter flights. Passion Air offers domestic flights to top destinations within Ghana, including Accra (hub), Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, Wa, and Sunyani.
Passion Air ticket prices
Booking a flight with Passion Air is convenient and can be done online through their official website. You can pay for your airline ticket via the airline's app or the USSD code *227*606#.
The fare product classes for Passion Air include:
- Promotion: Tickets are changeable with a fee but are non-refundable.
- Bronze: Tickets are changeable and refundable with a fee up to 4 hours before departure.
- Silver: Free ticket changes up to 4 hours before departure and refundable with a fee.
- Gold: Free ticket changes and refunds up to 4 hours before departure.
Here are the Passion Air Ghana flight prices (one-way) (prices as of this writing):
| Route | Flight time (direct) | Promotion (cedis) | Bronze (cedis) | Silver (cedis) | Gold (cedis) |
| Accra to Kumasi (up to 6 flights daily) | 40 min | N/A | From ₵745 | From ₵890 | ₵1,367 |
| Accra to Sunyani (up to 2 fights daily) | 1 hr | " | From ₵1,178 | From ₵1,367 | ₵2,090 |
| Accra to Takoradi (up to 2 flights daily) | 50 min | " | From ₵740 | From ₵980 | ₵1,592 |
| Accra to Tamale (up to 3 flights daily) | 1 hr 20 min | " | N/A | From ₵972 | Up to ₵1,976 |
| Accra to Wa (1 flight daily) | 1 hr 40 min | " | ₵1,185 | ₵1,302 | ₵2,243 |
Domestic cargo and charter airlines in Ghana
Though Africa World Airlines (AWA) and Passion Air also offer cargo and charter flights, companies like Gianair and McDan Aviation offer these services exclusively.
Gianair
Gianair is a Ghanaian airline with its head office in Accra and its main base at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. According to Gianair's website, the carrier offers executive charter services, emergency rescue and air cargo.
Gianair has partnered with the West African Rescue Association (WARA) for all air ambulance services. They offer charter flights and medical evacuations locally to all airports in Ghana.
Gianair operates two BAe Jetstream 32EP aircraft with a carrying capacity of 18 passengers plus one cabin crew.
McDan Aviation
McDan Aviation is a premier Ghanaian aviation company with its head office in Accra and its main base at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. According to McDan Aviation's website, the company specialises in private air charter services, cargo handling, and Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services.
McDan Aviation offers bespoke travel solutions, including medevac flights and luxury private jet charters. The company operates a fleet that includes the Bombardier Challenger 604, Airbus EC 135 T1 Helicopter, and Beechcraft King Air B200.
What are the requirements for domestic flights in Ghana?
You must present a valid, physical government-issued ID (or NHIS, driver's licence, voter's ID, passport) during check-in for domestic flights in Ghana.
Do I need a passport for domestic flights in Ghana?
Source: Getty Images
Domestic flights within Ghana do not require a passport. However, you can use your passport to board a flight locally if you don't have your identification card.
How many domestic airlines are there in Ghana?
Ghana has two domestic airlines (presently): Africa World Airlines and Passion Air. Both operate commercial flights within the country and are based at Kotoka International Airport in Accra.
What are the 4 major local airlines in Ghana?
As of this writing, there are two major local airlines in Ghana. They include Africa World Airlines (AWA) and Passion Air.
How much does Passion Airlines charge for a flight from Accra to Tamale?
Passion Air charges from ₵972 to fly from Accra to Tamale on a silver class ticket and up to ₵1,976 on a gold class ticket.
How much is the flight from Accra to Kumasi (price in Cedis)?
Africa World Airlines (AWA) charges between ₵791 and ₵2,044, while Passion Air charges start from ₵745 to ₵1,367.
How long is the flight from Accra to Kumasi?
A one-way nonstop (direct) flight between Accra and Kumasi takes about 40 minutes.
How many airports are in Ghana?
According to the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Ghana has eight airports. They include:
- Kotoka International Airport (Accra)
- Kumasi Airport (Kumasi)
- Navrongo Airport (Paga)
- Takoradi Airport (Sekondi-Takoradi)
- Sunyani Airport (Sunyani)
- Tamale Airport (Tamale)
- Wa Airport (Wa)
- Yendi Airport (Yendi)
What is the largest airport in West Africa?
Murtala Mohammed International Airport, located in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, is the largest airport in West Africa. This airport is named after a former Nigerian military leader, Murtala Muhammed.
Domestic airlines in Ghana include Africa World Airlines (AWA) and Passion Air. These airlines connect major cities and regions, each offering competitive rates to their customers. AWA offers more flights daily but to fewer destinations, while Passion Air offers fewer flights daily but to more destinations.
Yen.com.gh recently published about visa-free countries for Ghanaians. A visa-free country allows foreign nationals to enter and stay without requiring a visa. This means travellers do not need to apply for a visa before their trip or obtain one upon arrival.
Ghanaian passport holders can travel to many countries without a visa, which allows them to travel outside the country for many reasons, such as business and tourism. Read the article to learn more about visa-free countries for Ghanaian passport holders.
Source: YEN.com.gh
