ADDIS ABABA – Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh on Monday laid the cornerstone for the planned construction of a new airport as part of the country’s infrastructure development drive.
Planned to go operational in 2018, the new airport, named Hassan Gouled Aptidon International Airport (HGAIA) after the country’s first president and Guelleh’s predecessor, is capable of catering for the travel needs of 1.5 million passengers and transport of 100,000 tons of air cargo per year.
“The airport is named after Djibouti’s former president Gueled Apridon because he is the frontrunner of Djibouti’s independence,” Guelleh told reporters.
Guelleh is also due to unveil the cornerstone for a second airport, the Ahmed Dini Ahmed International Airport (ADAIA) on Tuesday. The airport was named after former prime minister Ahmed Dini Ahmed.
“The new airports will demonstrate the decade-long economic strides Djibouti has been making,” Guelleh said.
“It is the pinnacle to date of our development success,” he said, adding the airport services would dramatically boost and complement the country’s aviation services sector.
“Djibouti with its five ports and the new international standard airports will be well poised to become a major commercial hub in the whole East Africa region,” Guelleh said.
He added that the new airports, which would cost a total outlay of $599 million, will provide a good opportunity for Djibouti to become a strategic business destination.
Situated at Bicidley area, some 25km south-west of the current Ambouli Airport, HGAIA would have a capacity of accommodating all modern commercial aircraft including the giant Airbus 380.
The second airport ADAIA, located in the northern part of Djibouti, is also designed to be capable of handling up to 767,400 passengers per year. It is expected to go operational in 2016.
The two airports will create nearly 2,000 jobs during construction and operational phases.
By Mohammed Taha Tewekel
