Work on $599m Djibouti international airport to start this year

Construction on the $599 million new international airport in Ali-Sabieh, Djibouti would start this year and expected to be completed in 2018

Construction on the $599 million new international airport in Ali-Sabieh, Djibouti would start this year and expected to be completed in 2018, Pesident Ismail Omar Guelleh announced on Monday this week.

The new El-Hajj Hassan Gouled Airport, which is to be located in Ali-Sabieh, 25 km (15 miles) south of the capital will serve 1.5 million passengers annually, and construction will entail setting up of runways that will cater for modern commercial jets. The facility will have capacity to process 100,000 tonnes of cargo per year.

The Chinese-funded airport construction project is anticipated to enhance the growth of the economy in the country and create more that 500 jobs to the citizens.

It is expected to be completed in 2018. Construction of a smaller 350,000-passenger airport near Seven Brothers islands is also covered in the budget. The investment is to be provided by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

Apart from Djibouti, other countries are planning for or undertaking airport construction or expansion projects, including the upcoming Ethiopia’s Hawassa, Robe Goba and Shire airports. This is in line with increasing cargo transport and passenger travels in the region.