A new international airport worth US$ 599m is to be constructed in Ali-Sabieh, Djibouti this year, after the Pesident, Ismail Omar Guelleh laid down on Monday this week, the first stone to see the Chinese-funded airport foundation kick off.
The new El-Hajj Hassan Gouled Airport, which is to be located in Ali-Sabieh, 25 km (15 miles) south of the capital will serve 1.5 million passengers annually, and construction will entail setting up of runways that will cater for modern commercial jets. The facility will have capacity to process 100,000 tonnes of cargo per year.
The whole airport construction project is anticipated to enhance the growth of the economy in the country and create more that 500 jobs to the citizens.
It is expected to be completed in 2018. Construction of a smaller 350,000-passenger airport near Seven Brothers islands is also covered in the budget. The investment is to be provided by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
Apart from Djibouti, other countries are planning for or undertaking airport construction or expansion projects, including the upcoming Ethiopia’s Hawassa, Robe Goba and Shire airports. This is in line with increasing cargo transport and passenger travels in the region.
