Senegal's new $575 million airport opens after 10-year saga

By Kieron Monks, CNN

Updated 0953 GMT (1753 HKT) November 16, 2017

The entrance of Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) in Diass, around 40km from the Senegalese capital Dakar. <br /><br />The $575 million megaproject will be among the largest airports in Africa when it opens on December 7.
Photos: Inside $575 million megaproject
Ready for take-off – The entrance of Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) in Diass, around 40km from the Senegalese capital Dakar.

The $575 million megaproject will be among the largest airports in Africa when it opens on December 7.
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The new airport will replace the services of Dakar's existing international airport, which will cease operations.
Photos: Inside $575 million megaproject
New player – The new airport will replace the services of Dakar's existing international airport, which will cease operations.
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AIBD will have an initial capacity of three million passengers per year, rising to 10 million per year, far surpassing any other airport in Senegal.
Photos: Inside $575 million megaproject
Vast capacity – AIBD will have an initial capacity of three million passengers per year, rising to 10 million per year, far surpassing any other airport in Senegal.
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The construction process has taken 10 years due to repeated setbacks, including the need to resettle displaced residents of the area, and a change of construction firms.
Photos: Inside $575 million megaproject
Long journey – The construction process has taken 10 years due to repeated setbacks, including the need to resettle displaced residents of the area, and a change of construction firms.
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AIBD will handle around 80,000 flights a year. The Senegalese authorities hope it will become the primary hub of West Africa.
Photos: Inside $575 million megaproject
Ready for landing – AIBD will handle around 80,000 flights a year. The Senegalese authorities hope it will become the primary hub of West Africa.
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The site will also have capacity to house large planes such as Airbus A380s.
Photos: Inside $575 million megaproject
Gnerous legroom – The site will also have capacity to house large planes such as Airbus A380s.
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It is hoped that the airport will lead to wider development of the currently remote area including through new malls, hotels and business facilities.
Photos: Inside $575 million megaproject
Build it...they will come? – It is hoped that the airport will lead to wider development of the currently remote area including through new malls, hotels and business facilities.
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French firm Lagardère Travel Retail has been contracted to operate 1,000 square meters of duty-free stores on the site.
Photos: Inside $575 million megaproject
Partnerships – French firm Lagardère Travel Retail has been contracted to operate 1,000 square meters of duty-free stores on the site.
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The terminal is 42,000 square meters consisting of two tiers and a mezzanine level.
Photos: Inside $575 million megaproject
Interior design – The terminal is 42,000 square meters consisting of two tiers and a mezzanine level.
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Story highlights

  • Senegal's largest airport opens in December
  • Decade-long construction process suffered several setbacks
  • Airport is part of wide-ranging development program

(CNN)The largest airport in Senegal will open its doors on December 7, after more than a decade of development and delays.

Blaise Diagne International (AIBD) will have initial capacity for three million passengers per year, rising to 10 million per year, making it one of the highest-capacity airports in Africa.
    Blaise Diagne will take over services from Senegal's current flagship airport Léopold Sédar Senghor International in capital city Dakar, which will cease operations.
      The $575 million megaproject is envisioned as the centerpiece of an ambitious new development program.

      Breathing space

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      The new airport is based in rural Diass, around 40 kilometers east of Dakar.
      The remote location offers more space for the project than the crowded capital, where the existing airport has been affected by heavy traffic congestion.
      Blaise Diagne occupies a 4,500-hectare site compared with 800 hectares at Léopold Sédar Senghor. The new airport also boasts a larger terminal and runways that can accommodate more passengers and flights.
      "The AIBD airport is definitely a state-of-the-art infrastructure project," says El Hadji Beye, a civil engineer specializing in West Africa. "The new facility's increased size can accommodate larger planes like the Airbus A380 and will h