Cotonou Benin Republic International Airport (Exploring West Africa’s Gateway to Adventure/Culture)

Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport (IATA: COO, ICAO: DBBB) is an airport in the Cadjehoun neighborhood of Cotonou, the largest city in Benin, in West Africa. The airport is the largest in the country, and as such, is the primary entry point into the country by air, with flights to Africa and Europe.

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Passenger and cargo performances of Cotonou airport have grown significantly since 2013. The airport opened on a 24-hour basis, with a total capacity of 700,000 passengers. But it operates below its capacity. For instance, the traffic of passengers was estimated at around 500,000 passengers in 2017 compared to 350,000 passengers in 2015. Likewise, a total of 25,000 mt of goods was handled in 2017 against 19,300 mt in 2015.

The parking space is wide and there are good security conditions. The airport is well equipped (light, markings on the ground, tie down facilities, etc). Maintenance and unloading areas are available. Fuel access is located on the parking area (Bouche RVT KER Fuel hydrant service: 6 M).

AD (Aérodrome) prohibited for ACFT not equipped with bilateral radio communications. Circuit pattern on the right obligatory for RWY 24 and circuit pattern on the right prohibited for RWY 06. U-turn on runway prohibited for ACFT superior to 40 T weight. Obligatory U-tum on the turn-over areas at the end of runway.

Aircraft can taxi directly to the location for refuelling. There are five possible fuel connections. MIL: 4700 M2 - CIV: NA Surface: Bitumen and bituminous concretes Strength: B 747 and A300.

Width: 22 M (TWY A) - 21.10 M (TWY B) Surface: Bituminous concretes Strength: TWY A: B 747 - TWY B: NA

Guide lines at apron and ground markings. Ground guide lines on TWY. RWY: White lights LIH and yellow on the last 600 meters. Raquettes: Blue lights with B 747 turn-around system - TWY: Blue lights LIL.

There are not at the other ADs in Benin any local meteorological centers able to provide air navigation protection. This service is provided, on requested, by Cotonou main meteorological center with which air protection request at the departure AD must be formulated with a minimum notice of 4 hours.

Helicopter Pad(s)

There is no Helicopter Pad at Cotonou airport. The Airport authorities are using some spaces of the aeroplanes for helicopters, such as the planes parking area inside the domestic terminal.

Airport Infrastructure Details

As per the news obtained from airport authorities, renovation work on the former parking area took place between May and September 2013. However, some of it still needs to be done continuously, as are the car park routes on the renovated areas, including the positions for the wide-body aircraft. The new arrival hall opened in early December 2017. The full opening of the hall in the coming months should allow the authorities to embark on the renovation work of the departure hall. Note however the improvement of air conditioning in the departure lounges and a new luggage carousel in the departure area.

The airfield and the equipment are though generally well maintained. The airport recommends that to facilitate the trip, all passengers to take all the necessary measures to be in order with the sanitary formalities (vaccines, vaccination book), customs and administrative (passport, visa, etc.).

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