The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has justified the closure of the private jet terminal of McDan Aviation at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on Monday, December 30, 2024.
GACL has provided a breakdown of the debts owed it by McDan necessitating the closure of its terminal.
According to a statement issued by the GACL Tuesday, December 31, 2024, it says McDan’s debts which comprises land leases, terminal fees, and rental charges accumulated over time exceeds US$3 million.
The GACL stated that despite several notices to McDan to defray its debt, including a December 25 deadline, huge part of the debt remains unpaid.
Meanwhile, McDan Aviation, in response, contested the figures arguing that US$2 million of the said debt pertains to a disputed land acquisition which is currently being litigated.
But the Ghana Airports in its Tuesday letter indicated that McDan has put up properties on the supposed disputed lands and has been earning rental proceeds from them without paying ground rent to the GACL.
The GACL, however, has given a comprehensive breakdown of McDan Aviation’s outstanding obligations, which totals $US3,995,622.66 and GHS 13,523.37 as part of efforts to round up its regular debt collection exercise for the year.
Terminal 1 Rent and Fees: $640,232.48
Block Factory, Spintex Road (5.66 acres): $1,160,827.23
Airport Logistics Building, Spintex Road (10.63 acres): $2,168,266.75
Courier Enclave (0.59 acres): $8,140
Cargo Village Offices: $18,156.20 (GHS 13,523.37)
“Additionally, McDan is required to pay GACL a 15% share of the gross revenue as monthly revenue returns covering the period September 1, 2022, to November 30, 2024, which is also outstanding.
“For the record, McDan Company Limited paid two million Ghana cedis (GHS2,000,000) on Friday, December 24, 2024, out of the outstanding three million nine hundred and ninety-five, six hundred and twenty-two US dollars, sixty-six cents ($3, 995,622.66) and thirteen thousand five hundred and twenty-three cedis thirty-seven pesewas (GHS13,523.37) owed GACL.
“It is also worthy to note that while McDan intimates that some of the lands acquired from Ghana Airports Company Limited as far back as 2015 are under litigation and therefore is requesting GACL to hold on with the collection of payments, McDan Company Limited has developed same lands with commercial buildings situated on it and benefiting from rental proceeds on the built properties without paying ground rent to GACL.
“Prior suggested payment plans from McDan Company Limited which was presented as far back as 2020 defaulted, therefore it is our position to demand full payment of monies owed.
Meanwhile, four other companies operating at the Kotoka International Airport have also been closed for non-payment of debt to GACL.
