Ghana Airports invest $15 million in SITA systems upgrade for passenger and bag management

Tourist hot spot, Ghana, is to benefit from new integrated airport systems from airport IT specialist, SITA, designed to improve passenger flow and baggage management at the country’s main airport, Kotoka International Airport. The new systems were commissioned today by Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister for Transport.

The ten-year, $15 million implementation by SITA for the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) includes technology upgrades such as the introduction of a new baggage reconciliation system, the latest common-use self-service (CUSS) check-in kiosks, and SITA’s suite of airport management solutions integrated with a new airport operational data base (AODB) and flight information display system which ensures passengers get a real-time view on flight changes.

The SITA Baggage Reconciliation System will provide Kotoka’s 800,000 passengers with a state-of-the-art facility capable of tracking over two million bags from check-in to delivery while ensuring that the right bag is on the right plane for the right passenger.

Speaking at the official commissioning at the airport today, Doreen Owusu-Fianko, GACL Managing Director, said: "The Ghana Airports Company is keen to ensure that all passengers checking in at Kotoka International Airport have a smooth and pleasant passage through the airport with a minimum of queues and delays. SITA’s airport management solution will anchor systems integration across the airport and self-service check-in is something that passengers now expect as much as online booking.

“Passengers also place a high value on their baggage arriving safely. SITA’s Baggage Reconciliation System now provides us with maximum visibility on baggage movements from check-in to loading. This will also enhance airport and flight security while assuring passengers that we have infrastructure in place that they can rely on.”

SITA Airport Management Solution, used worldwide by airports which handle over 400 million passengers, provides intelligent and agile airport applications which improve operational performance through more efficient allocation of resources, such as departure gates, aircraft slots, check-in counters, and baggage carousels. It also provides a state-of-the-art information display for passengers showing arrival, departure and gate information. In addition, SITA’s systems give airlines real-time oversight of the billable services provided by the airport.

SITA has already pioneered the successful introduction of CUSS kiosks in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania. The initial deployment in Kotoka International Airport covers 10 CUSS kiosks.

Rob Watkins, SITA Regional Vice President for Africa, said: "Kotoka International Airport will be a showcase for air transport and operational efficiency now that SITA’s systems are in place. In a world where passenger numbers are climbing, integrated airport systems are key to making the best possible use of existing resources and infrastructure while maximizing airport revenues and attracting new airlines.

“We expect that the new CUSS kiosks will be capable of handling up to 40% or more of passengers checking-in during peak periods at Kotoka International Airport. This will help the airport to manage increasing passenger flows without having to invest in creating new check-in desks.”