Plans are underway, according to Prime Minister Henri Marie Dondra, for the construction of a new airport in Central African Republic (CAR), which is currently served by one international airport, the Bangui M’poko international airport.
The first infrastructures of the latter were built between 1964 and 1967, shortly after the independence of the Central African country. Generally, the airport covers an area of approximately 6 km² and a rectangular perimeter of 12km at an average altitude of 368 meters making it the larget of its kind in the country.
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It consists of only one terminal and a unique runway that is oriented north-south. The runway measures almost 2600 meters and its currently undergoing expansion woks t be extended to 3200 meters. Despite the work in progress, Bangui M’poko international airport, unfortunately, has shortcomings in terms of surface availability, reception capacity, and equipment for handling passenger and baggage flows.
Expectations for the new international airport
The project, which is still in the embryonic stage, is expected to experience significant progress before the end of the five-year term of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who was re-elected in December 2020.
Upon completion, the new international airport will meet international standards and significantly increase passenger/freight traffic in the country.
In the meantime, however, the State is pursuing the rehabilitation plan for the Bangui M’Poko international airport financed by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC).
At the same time, the the airport will also undergo a reinforcement of its aeronautical pavements within the framework of a financing granted by the Saudi Fund for the development.
