Ghana’s largest domestic airline, PassionAir, announced on Thursday that operational challenges have forced the cancellation and delay of flights across its entire route network, leaving passengers stranded and businesses scrambling to adjust.

The carrier, which operates from its hub at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra, did not specify the nature of the challenges but confirmed the disruption has affected services to all six destinations it serves: Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, Wa, Sunyani, and the capital.

“PassionAir is currently experiencing operational challenges affecting our entire route network. As a result, some flights have been cancelled while others are experiencing delays,” the airline said in a statement. “We apologize to our passengers who have been inconvenienced by these disruptions. We fully understand the frustration and inconvenience this has caused, and the potential impact on your travel plans.”

The disruption has exposed the fragility of Ghana’s domestic aviation sector, where a limited number of carriers serve high demand routes. PassionAir, which transported more than 386,000 passengers in 2023 and commands roughly 51 percent of the domestic market, plays a critical role in connecting business executives, entrepreneurs, and traders to the northern and middle belt regions.

For many Ghanaians, domestic air travel represents the only practical option for timely intercity movement. Road infrastructure remains underdeveloped, and journeys that might take an hour by air can stretch into many hours by road due to poor conditions and persistent traffic congestion.

Business travellers heading to commercial centres in Tamale, Kumasi, and Wa reported missed meetings, delayed transactions, and lost opportunities as they struggled to rebook flights or find alternative transport. The ripple effects extended beyond individuals to small and medium enterprises that rely on efficient air connections to move goods and personnel.

PassionAir said its team is working to resolve the underlying issues and restore normal services as quickly as possible. The airline emphasized that passenger safety and wellbeing remain its guiding priorities throughout the disruption.

The incident marks another challenging moment for Ghana’s domestic aviation industry, which has weathered fuel supply concerns, technical incidents, and weather related disruptions throughout 2025. In July, the airline warned passengers of potential cancellations after the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) confirming a temporary jet fuel shortage at KIA.

Industry observers say the latest disruption underscores the need for stronger resilience measures in Ghana’s aviation sector, including improved fleet maintenance strategies, backup aircraft arrangements, and more robust supply chain coordination.

PassionAir, which began commercial operations in August 2018, operates a fleet of Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. The airline has previously been recognized for promoting gender diversity in aviation, including operating Ghana’s first all female crew flight and employing the country’s youngest female commercial pilot.

Passengers affected by the current disruptions are advised to contact PassionAir’s customer service team or monitor the airline’s official channels for updates on rescheduled services.