Senegal: President Macky Sall inaugurates the renovated int'l airport in Saint-Louis
Senegal has set itself the goal of becoming a major air and tourism hub in sub-Saharan Africa. The construction of Dakar's Blaise-Diagne International Airport (AIBD) and the creation of Air Senegal are part of this logic. The dynamic continues with the PRAS, an initiative that plans to upgrade 13 airport platforms throughout the country.
The new international (not regional) airport of Saint-Louis is once again operational. The Senegalese Head of State inaugurated it on Thursday 14 July 2022. Macky Sall took the opportunity to rename it after Ousmane Massek Ndiaye, the former mayor of the city of Mame Coumba Bang, and former minister.
During his speech, he said that the renovation of this platform is "a reconciliation of the city with its history in civil aviation. It should be recalled that Saint-Louis hosted in 1927, the first direct flight of the country, from Toulouse (France).
Begun at the beginning of the second half of 2020, after the laying of the foundation stone in December 2018, the project was initially scheduled to last 18 months. It included the widening and lengthening of its main runway from 1,900 to 2,500 metres. This rehabilitation enabled the infrastructure to obtain international status, which means it can now accommodate large aircraft. The work, costing FCFA 23 billion, was carried out by the Czech company Transcom Electronic Systems.
The modernisation of Saint-Louis airport aims to boost the exploitation of oil and gas in the coastal city, and to boost its economy. It also aims to provide an alternative to Dakar's Blaise-Diagne International Airport (AIBD), the main gateway to Senegal.
This project is part of phase 1 of the Senegalese airport reconstruction programme (PRAS). This programme provides for the upgrading of 13 airports in the country, with a view to boosting the economy of all regions. Phase 1 of the PRAS, worth CFAF 99 billion (EUR 151 million), also includes the reconstruction of the airports of Kédougou, Tambacounda, Ziguinchor and Ourossogui-Matam (to be delivered by the end of the year). This project is still entrusted to Transcon Electronic Systems. The second phase, at an overall cost of CFAF 39 billion (EUR 59 million), will consist of upgrading eight airports to international standards, namely Cap-Skirring, Kolda, Sédhiou, Simenti, Kaolack, Bakel, Linguère and Podor.
