Abstract
Understanding a definite geographic context is essential for effective air transport management. To date, the consequences of changing weather conditions and climate on the transportation sector in Ghana has been grievous to the economy of the country. Unfortunately, the impact of climate change on the aviation industry has received very little attention in Ghanaian literature. Meanwhile, it is widely known that transport systems on the whole perform poorly under adverse weather and climatic conditions. This paper seeks to reflect a growing orientation in research and philosophy in the field of air transport and severe weather and climatic constraints. Understanding under-lying principles of climatic conditions and weather is essential to air navigation in Ghana. Clear air turbulence, ceiling and visibility, thunderstorms, electrical phenomenon, climate-induced seasonal variations, and vegetation are some of the threats to air transport across Ghana's airspace. Information is derived from literature surveys, workplace counts, and an aviation researcher. Overall, large information technology investments, consolidation, and re-structuring are all major issues that must be addressed by stakeholders ambitious to stay afloat and competitive in Ghana's airspace.
Highlights
In the context of improving and expanding air travel in Ghana, the pertinent question that has remained unanswered over the years is, ‘to what extent does the frequency of bad weather and climatic conditions hamper the growth and development of air travel’? A key question, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization, is ‘whether the international aviation community fully understands what potential medium-term and long-term impacts there will be on commercial aviation safety’, while stating that the physical impacts and the economic costs of climate change on transport systems are subjects ‘for deeper study’ (Economic... 2005)
On 19 March 2012, for example, attempts by some domestic commercial airliners to land at the Tamale and Takoradi airports proved unsuccessful due to poor visibility, and those flights had to return to their origin
The same conditions repeated throughout all the busy airports in Ghana except Kotoka International Airport (KIA), where the situation could be managed with the aid of instrument landing systems (ILS)
Summary
In the context of improving and expanding air travel in Ghana, the pertinent question that has remained unanswered over the years is, ‘to what extent does the frequency of bad weather and climatic conditions hamper the growth and development of air travel’? A key question, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization, is ‘whether the international aviation community fully understands what potential medium-term and long-term impacts there will be on commercial aviation safety’, while stating that the physical impacts and the economic costs of climate change on transport systems are subjects ‘for deeper study’ (Economic... 2005). TROL see a doubling of two days air traffic by the year 2020 (Eurocontrol 2003) This predetermines the degree of safety measures required on the national airspace of Ghana. ‘In order to maintain the present level of development and to move steadily into the 21st century it is absolutely necessary for Ghana to update, improve and maintain facilities and equipment to ensure the comfort and safety of the flying public This should be treated as a matter of urgency; otherwise the dangerous bacteria of obsolescence will infest and impair the good work done over the years’ (Dwemoh 2007). Prominent causes of air flight delays range from extreme meteorological conditions and maintenance to severe weather and climate (Koetse, Piet 2007).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
