Cavotec to supply ground support equipment for Ghana Int. airport expansion

Global engineering group and airport systems integrator Cavotec has won an order to supply advanced ground support equipment for the "Gateway to West Africa", Ghana's Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

One of Cavotec's four airport Centres of Excellence (CoE) in conjunction with PW Ghana, won the order worth several million EUR for the manufacture, supply and integration of a complete fuel hydrant system at the country's main airport in Accra. The order plays an intrinsic role in the Phase III expansion project at KIA, sponsored by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), an agency of the Ghanaian government.    

Cavotec engineers will provide full installation supervision of a new fuel hydrant loop at KIA, including fuel hydrant pits (low point, isolation valve and future connection pits), feeder, remote, passenger apron, bay zero and cargo arpon line and a cathodic protection system.

"Cavotec will manufacture, supply and supervise the installation of the new fuel hydrant system, which fits into the on-going expansion at Kotoka International," said Managing Director of Cavotec Dabico, Gary Matthews. "The order includes full integration, on-site commission and quality control. This is what Cavotec does best: working closely with our partners around the world to provide made-to-order complete system integration."

Situated 10 kilometres from the centre of Accra, KIA is Ghana's sole international airport and consists of domestic, international and freight terminals. International airlines currently operating scheduled flights into KIA include Alitalia, British Airways, Delta, KLM Royal Dutch, Lufthansa, TAP-Portugal, United and Virgin Atlantic.

The aviation industry has been identified by the Ghanaian government as a potential driving force behind socio-economic development for Ghana and other countries in Africa. Ghana's Minister of Finance, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, said he expects the KIA improvement project, "will create further opportunities for the expansion of flights in and out of Accra and seal Ghana's status as the ‘Gateway to West Africa'."

According to a 2011 feasibility study by the US-based LPA group, the estimated total cost of the infrastructural requirements for KIA is US$405 million and will increase the airport's capacity to handle more than 5.2 million passengers by 2013 (an increase of approximately 400 per cent on 2010 figures) and 49,325 tonnes of freight (up from 46,480 in 2010) during the same period.

Cavotec already has ground support equipment in operation in many parts of Africa, including Kenya, Nairobi, Senegal and extensively in South Africa.

Global engineering group Cavotec develops integrated systems for airports around the world that help drive operational efficiency, reduce tarmac congestion and improve local air quality. Cavotec's Airports market unit is made up of Cavotec Dabico, Cavotec Meyerinck, Cavotec Fladung and most recently Cavotec INET.

Working closely with airlines, aircraft manufacturers and airport operators, Cavotec designs, manufactures and integrates a broad range of advanced ground support equipment, including in-ground fuel and utility systems, tunnel systems and pre-conditioned air units and 400hz systems.  

Cavotec in-ground fuel systems are in use at airports all over the world. Through a strong focus on quality and innovation Cavotec's systems have become the natural choice for industry operators. In addition to designing and manufacturing in-ground fuel systems, Cavotec also provides installation supervision and long-term support of its systems.

Image: Wikimedia Commons.