During World War II, the United States Army Air ForcesAir Transport Command Trans-Africa Ferry Route, was a major transportation link between the Atlantic Ocean port of Lagos in Nigeria, and the Sudan. This was one of the main routes for Lend-Lease aircraft sent to Russia, and other supplies sent to British forces in Egypt and the Middle East. The route had been pioneered in 1936 by Imperial Airways, but was dramatically expanded during the war.[6]
Takoradi Airport was a major refueling stop between Robertsfield, the airport the U.S. built to serve Liberia's capital Monrovia, and Apapa Airport, Nigeria. Takoradi Airport was used as a Royal Air Force station known as "RAF Takoradi", where crated aircraft, that had been shipped over the Atlantic, were assembled prior to being flown to operational areas in North Africa. 26 Squadron SAAF was also based in Takoradi during World War II flying Vickers Wellington bombers on anti-submarine and convoy protection patrols over the Atlantic. A number of South African Air Force airmen are buried in the Takoradi European Public cemetery adjoining the Airport.
On 24 April 1969, Douglas C-47A 9G-AAF of Ghana Airways crashed on approach to Takoradi Airport, killing one passenger of the 33 passengers and crew. The aircraft was operating a domestic scheduled passenger flight from Kotoka Airport, Accra.[9]
On 8 May 2014, a Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin helicopter operated for Volta River Aviation crashed off the coast of the Western Region en route from Takoradi Airport to the Jack Ryan oil rig. Four out of the eight persons on board were killed in the accident. The investigation revealed that an oil leak had resulted in a fire on board.[10]
