A cradle of aviation since the days of Aéropostale, Senegal has always been a prominent aeronautical nation. With recognized expertise in all areas of the aviation sector, the country ranks among the most representative worldwide.
Civil Aviation Organizations and Representations Based in Dakar
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) established its Western and Central African office (WACAF) in Senegal back in 1963. This office coordinates and supports the implementation of civil aviation standards and recommendations.
The WACAF Office, based in Dakar, is accredited to 24 ICAO contracting states in the Africa and Indian Ocean (AFI) region. Its missions include promoting ICAO policies, standards and recommended practices, as well as implementing air navigation plans approved by the organization based on regional meetings and planning group recommendations.
Like the ICAO, all major aviation organizations maintain a representation in Dakar. These include the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Union of Airport Managers of Central and West Africa (UGAACO), and soon, the Airports Council International (ACI).
Air Hub: A Strategic Ambition
In the ranking of the busiest airports in the sub-region, Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) ranks third, behind Murtala Mohammed Airport in Nigeria and Kotoka Airport in Ghana.
Understanding the stakes involved, Senegalese authorities approved the 2021–2025 strategic development plan for the air hub during a presidential council held on April 21, 2021.
The “Senegal First Air Hub in West Africa” project is built on four key pillars: traffic generation, enhancement of passenger experience, access and connectivity, and diversification and influence.
Following the government’s endorsement, the ambitious Strategic Airport Rehabilitation Program (PRAS) was launched in two phases, aimed at modernizing the country’s airport infrastructure and aligning it with national and international standards.
Phase one includes the complete rebuilding of the airports of Saint-Louis, Ourossogui-Matam, Ziguinchor, and Tambacounda to meet industry norms.
Phase two covers the airports of Kolda, Podor, Linguère, Bakel, Cap-Skirring, Simenti, Kédougou, Sédhiou, and Kaolack.
Ultimately, the Senegalese government plans to create a nationwide network of 13 regional airports, including three with international status.
It’s also worth noting the major renovation work at Cap-Skirring International Airport, which led to its certification. This achievement makes Senegal the first country in the WAEMU zone with two certified airports.
With the commissioning of the Ousmane Masseck Ndiaye Airport in Saint-Louis—whose runway has been certified by the civil aviation authority—the airports of Ziguinchor and Matam will soon follow and enter service.
Senegal: A Natural Air Hub
Senegal possesses several geostrategic advantages that make it ideal as an air transport hub in West Africa.
Its geographic location makes Senegal a gateway between the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Situated at the westernmost tip of the continent, Senegal offers an efficient connecting platform for long-haul flights linking most continents. This gives Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) a strategic role as a preferred transit point for airlines and passengers.
Furthermore, the country benefits from well-established political and economic stability, making it a preferred destination.
Infrastructure Modernization
“Public transport is the backbone of development and the guiding thread of integration,” declared Mr. Malick Ndiaye, Minister of Infrastructure and Land and Air Transport, during the national transport sector forum held in October 2024 at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Center (CICAD).
The vision of positioning Senegal as an air hub took shape with the commissioning of Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) in 2017.
Former President Abdoulaye Wade had already seen the necessity of building a state-of-the-art airport platform outside the capital to welcome more airlines from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
This ambition has been reinforced by successive governments pursuing large-scale projects to improve passenger experience and attract more airlines to Senegal.
Accordingly, the technical platform is being upgraded with the construction of an aircraft maintenance center (Maintenance Repair Overhaul – MRO), equipped with a hangar designed to accommodate the most demanding aircraft of our time—the Airbus A380. The center will be capable of performing high-level maintenance operations (C-checks).
Other projects include the expansion of the passenger terminal, construction of a new cargo terminal, and the development of an Aerotropolis to help reach the target of three million passengers.
The goal is to capture all West African air traffic in Senegal by 2035.
International Agreements and Partnerships
Key bilateral agreements signed with other African countries are helping facilitate air transport exchanges, including the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), launched at the 30th African Union Summit in January 2018 to strengthen air policies across the continent.
A Strong National Airline to Ensure Regional Connectivity
As Senegal’s national airline, Air Sénégal aims to enhance connectivity between Senegal and other African and international destinations. The airline acts as a catalyst for the hub, facilitating connections for passengers traveling between African regions.
The growth of Air Sénégal directly supports the dynamism of Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) as a regional hub. With a diverse range of destinations, the airline is helping position Senegal as a key transit point for passengers.
Furthermore, strategic partnerships signed by Air Sénégal—such as alliances with other carriers—could strengthen Senegal’s global connectivity.
Promoting Tourism and Business Travel
The air hub project is also tied to ambitions of boosting tourism and attracting investment. In this regard, the former military airport Léopold Sédar Senghor is being considered for renovation to accommodate domestic flights and business travel.
To enhance Senegal’s attractiveness, several major development projects are underway around the AIBD platform, the Petite Côte, and the Casamance region, in collaboration with APIX and SAPCO. These include:
- The Aerotropolis project in Diass
- The Integrated Special Economic Zone of Diass (ZESID)
- Hotel infrastructure development along the Petite Côte (Mbour, Saly, etc.)
- Regional Aerotropolis and territorial development projects in Ziguinchor, Cap Skirring, and Saint-Louis.
Finally, for the air hub to succeed, the airport must be connected to urban centers through multimodal transport. To this end, the Regional Express Train (TER) line has been extended from Diamniadio to AIBD, with a pedestrian bridge linking the airport terminal to the train station. Future TER phases will connect AIBD to the cities of Thiès and Mbour. Additionally, the Ila Touba and Mbour-Fatick-Kaolack highways both run past AIBD.
Human Resources and Workforce Development
Parallel to these efforts, the air hub project requires highly qualified personnel to support the expansion of infrastructure and services.
To meet this need, Senegal created the International Academy of Civil Aviation Professions (AIMAC)—one of the flagship projects of the air hub strategy. AIMAC aims to strengthen Senegal’s capacity to meet the evolving challenges of the aviation industry by training personnel in specialized aviation professions.
The academy officially opened its campus on October 18, 2024, during a ceremony presided over by the Minister of Infrastructure and Land and Air Transport, alongside Mr. Cheikh Mamadou Abiboulaye Dieye, Director General of AIBD SA, and other dignitaries.
Conclusion
Senegal’s ambition to become the leading air hub in West Africa represents a major opportunity for the country and the region. Thanks to a combination of modernized infrastructure, a strong national airline with strategic partnerships, and a well-trained professional workforce, Senegal could rapidly emerge as a major aviation hub—facilitating the movement of people and goods, and boosting its economy.
M. CHERIF CISSE
Chef Pôle Sécurité Sûreté Facilitation
AIBD SA
Source : ASSAP SENEGAL
