Dakar Blaise Diagne Airport

There are two airports in Dakar. They are Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport and the (Aéroport International Blaise Diagne, AIBD) with Blaise Diagne, located in Diass, Senegal, now the city's main airport as Leopold Sedar Senghor was unable to provide the required capacity. LSS was situated within the heavily populated capital city of Dakar, and had insufficient space for expansion, particularly for its runways and terminal buildings, which struggled to cope with increasing passenger and cargo traffic. LSS was originally known as Dakar Yoff International Airport until 9th October 1996 when it was renamed in honour of the first president of Senegal, Leopold Sedar Senghor. That airport was in heavy use during the Second World War when it served as a vital link in the United States Army Air Force Air Transport command.

The decision to construct a new, state-of-the-art airport nearly 50 kilometres east of Dakar in Diass was a strategic move to provide ample room for future growth and a more efficient operating environment and the new airport, named after Blaise Diagne, a former Senegalese-French political leader and mayor of Dakar, opened for scheduled operations on 7th December 2017, albeit in six years late and after ten years in construction but hey, this is African time! It was largely funded by the Saudis and stands as more than just an airport, it was designed to be a modern hub for West Africa, facilitating trade, tourism, and diplomatic links, solidifying Senegal's position as a regional aviation and logistics centre.

The genesis of Blaise Diagne Airport was conceived decades prior, finally came to fruition under the "Emerging Senegal Plan" (Plan Sénégal Émergent - PSE), a national development strategy aimed at transforming Senegal into an emerging economy by 2035. AIBD boasts impressive facilities designed to offer a seamless experience for passengers and efficient operations for airlines. The single, expansive terminal building is a striking example of modern architectural design, incorporating elements inspired by Senegalese culture. It features wide, airy spaces, numerous check-in counters, and a well-organized flow for both arriving and departing passengers. The terminal is equipped with advanced baggage handling systems, a spacious immigration hall, and comprehensive security screening points, ensuring international standards are met.

The airport's airside infrastructure is equally robust. It features a single, vast 4,200-metre (13,780-foot) runway, capable of accommodating the largest commercial aircraft in the world, including the Airbus A380, signifying its readiness for long-haul intercontinental flights. A parallel taxiway system enhances operational efficiency, reducing ground delays for aircraft. Complementing the passenger terminal are dedicated cargo facilities, including warehouses and handling areas, crucial for supporting Senegal's growing trade and exports.

Beyond the core aviation infrastructure, Blaise Diagne International Airport offers a wide array of passenger amenities. These include a variety of duty-free shops, local craft stores, restaurants, cafes, and lounges, providing diverse options for dining and retail therapy. Currency exchange services, ATMs, car rental agencies, and tourist information desks are also readily available. Ground transportation to and from the airport is facilitated by a network of taxis, shuttle buses, and private car services. Crucially, a major rail link, the Regional Express Train (TER), is under development to connect AIBD directly to Dakar, promising significantly faster and more reliable transit for passengers in the near future.

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<h5>Video Landing at Dakar Blaise Diagne Airport</h5>

Blaise Diagne Airport serves as the primary gateway for a diverse range of airlines, connecting Senegal to destinations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. As the hub for the national carrier, Air Senegal, AIBD plays a pivotal role in the airline's expansion of its regional and intercontinental network. Major international carriers operating out of AIBD include Air France, Brussels Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, Emirates, and Kenya Airways, among others. These airlines provide direct connections to key global cities such as Paris, Brussels, Casablanca, Addis Ababa Ababa, Istanbul, Madrid, Lisbon, Dubai, and Nairobi. Regionally, AIBD is a vital link to West African capitals like Abidjan, Bamako, Conakry, and Lomé, fostering intra-African trade and travel. The presence of such a diverse portfolio of carriers underscores AIBD's growing importance as a strategic nexus in Africa's aviation landscape.

Since its inauguration, Blaise Diagne Airport has demonstrated impressive growth in its facts and figures, particularly concerning passenger numbers. Constructed at an estimated cost of around $600 million, the airport was initially designed to handle 3 million passengers annually, with the potential for future expansion to accommodate up to 10 million.

In its first full year of operation (2018), AIBD recorded approximately 2.2 million passengers, a strong start reflecting the immediate shift of traffic from LSS. This figure steadily increased to nearly 2.4 million passengers in 2019, showcasing consistent growth before the global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Like airports worldwide, AIBD experienced a significant downturn in 2020, with passenger traffic dropping to around 1.1 million. However, the airport demonstrated resilience and a robust recovery, reaching approximately 1.5 million passengers in 2021 and surpassing its pre-pandemic levels in 2022, with passenger numbers exceeding 2.6 million. Current projections indicate that AIBD is well on track to exceed 5 million passengers in 2025, solidifying its position as one of West Africa's busiest and fastest-growing airports.

Beyond passenger traffic, AIBD also handles substantial cargo volumes, crucial for Senegal's import and export economy. While specific annual tonnage can fluctuate, the dedicated cargo facilities are designed to process thousands of tons of freight, supporting sectors like agriculture, fisheries, and manufacturing. The airport's strategic location also enhances its economic impact, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs and stimulating development in the surrounding Thiès region.

Blaise Diagne Airport represents a pivotal asset for Senegal's growth trajectory. Its modern facilities, expanding network of airlines, and impressive passenger numbers underscore its success as a major infrastructural project. While challenges such as optimizing ground transportation links and further enhancing the passenger experience remain ongoing, AIBD's management is committed to continuous improvement and expansion. As Senegal continues its drive towards economic emergence, AIBD is poised to play an even greater role as a regional aviation powerhouse. Its capacity for future growth, coupled with a strategic vision for enhanced connectivity and operational efficiency, ensures that Blaise Diagne Airport will remain a vital gateway, connecting Senegal to the global community and fostering prosperity for generations to come.

<h4>Dakar International Airport Map</h4>