Gov’t Re-Opens Douala Airport, Only Partially Though

Douala airport rehabilitated runway

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 The reopening of Douala International airport initially predicted for Monday March 21, cannot be respected. The airport has only just undergone the first phase of rehabilitation, said Jean Carmille Ngono.

New hanger and runway taxis

 Ngono, a technician at Cameroon Airports Authority, ADC, stated that the second phase which consists of rehabilitation on parking space and surroundings will only be completed by April 1st.

The first phase which went on for 21 days has been completed with the rehabilitation of some 2,350 metres length and 45metres width of the tarmac. Technicians revealed to Cameroon Journal Monday that some 500metres of the length which is expected to complete the 3,850metres will only be ready in the first week of April. Aircraft taxiways, aprons and passenger terminals are also still expected to be rehabilitated.

However there will be a partial reopening of the Douala Airport early Tuesday March 22 with the first flight being a Cargo aircraft to land at the tarmac by 3am. The first CAMAIR CO aircraft to land at the rehabilitated runway will be at 8am. The General Manager of Cameroon Airports Authority Thomas OWONA ASSOUMOU is categorical; the airport will reopen Tuesday morning “I assure you by Monday midnight the airport will be reopened.”

Business persons are back in their various sites and some travel agencies have begun attending to customers.

Transport minister is expected to visit the airport to give kick off for activities to partially resume.

The Douala airport is expected to welcome the Bafana Bafanas of South Africa when they arrive for their March 26 AFCON qualifiers against the Indomitable Lions in Limbe. CAF rules do not permit long travels for teams and so it will be impossible for the South Africans to land in Yaounde before making a long drive of about six hours to Limbe.