Blaise Diagne International Airport Explained

Blaise Diagne International Airport
Nativename:French: {{small|Aéroport international Blaise Diagne
Iata:DSS
Icao:GOBD
Type:Public
Owner:Government of Senegal
Operator:Summa-Limak
City-Served:Dakar
Location:Thiès Region, Senegal
Elevation-F:289.59
Elevation-M:88.27
Coordinates:14.6711°N -17.0669°W
Pushpin Map:Senegal
Pushpin Label:DSS/GOBD
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of airport in Senegal
Metric-Rwy:y
R1-Number:01/19
R1-Length-M:3500
R1-Length-F:11483
R1-Surface:Asphalt

Blaise Diagne International Airport (French: Aéroport international Blaise Diagne), is an international airport near the town of Diass in Thiès Region, Senegal, 43km (27miles) east of downtown Dakar. It serves as the main airport for Dakar, replacing Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport, which had become too small. It is named after Blaise Diagne, the first black African elected to France's parliament in 1914. Regular flights are operated to destinations across many parts of Africa, as well as to Europe, Macaronesia, the Middle East, and the United States.

History

The airport was originally expected to be operational at the end of the year 2011,[1] but this date was pushed back by almost a year in September of that year.[2] In September 2012, Senegalese Prime Minister Abdoul Mbaye announced that the airport would open in the first quarter of 2014.[3] In January 2015, word spread that the airport would open in June 2015. On April 4, 2015 Reuters announced a new opening date for early 2016.

The expected building costs rose to 566 million euros,[2] with over 400 million coming from the Saudi Binladin Group.[4]

The airport finally opened for scheduled operations on December 7, 2017.[5]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Dakar Blaise Diagne Airport:

Cargo

Statistics

In 2022, Blaise Diagne airport handled 2.629.348 passengers, a 5,53% increase over 2019.

Ground transportation

The Train Express Regional is a rail-link between the airport and Dakar. The first phase, linking downtown Dakar and Diamniadio, opened on 14 January 2019.[6] As of January 2023, the rails and station that will serve the airport are under construction.

Accidents and incidents

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: L'aéroport Blaise Diagne sera livré en fin 2011 (ministre) . Seneweb.com . fr . 2 December 2010 . 3 December 2010 .
  2. Web site: L'Aeroport International Blaise Diagne opérationnel au second semestre de 2012 (ministre) . APS . Seneweb.com . fr . 19 September 2011 . 3 October 2011 .
  3. Web site: Senegal's second international airport ready in 2014 . Panapress . 11 September 2012 . 11 October 2012 .
  4. Web site: Sénégal : Saudi Bin Laden sur le tarmac de l'aéroport Blaise Diagne . Ismael . Aidara . Seneweb.com . fr . 19 September 2011 . 3 October 2011 .
  5. Web site: Senegal opens new international airport with economic hopes. https://web.archive.org/web/20171208070837/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/senegal-opens-new-international-airport-with-economic-hopes/2017/12/07/424be1da-db50-11e7-a241-0848315642d0_story.html. 8 December 2017. Carley Petesch. AP. 7 December 2017.
  6. https://www.globalairrail.com/news/entry/first-phase-of-dakar-airport-rail-link-opens
  7. News: Plane skids off runway in Senegal, injuring 10 people . Africanews . 9 May 2024 . 9 May 2024 .