History of the AIBD from the project phase to the merger with ADS

As part of the implementation of the Government’s major projects, the State of Senegal has decided to build a new international airport located in Diass, called Blaise Diagne International Airport in order to better meet the requirements of air transport and satisfy Senegal’s ambition to position Dakar as the main West African airport hub. “Decree No. 2011-1113 of 5 August 2011”

The technical, economic, financial and legal feasibility studies began in 2001 under the aegis of APIX (Agency for the Promotion of Investments) which piloted the construction project of the Blaise Diagne International Airport until the setting up of the public limited company AIBD SA.

In 2005, the decree 2005-138 of 28 February 2005 establishing the RDIA – Airport Infrastructure Development Fee was promulgated with the aim of financing this project. This is a tax levied on the ticket of each passenger using the aerodromes open to the public in Senegal.

In 2006, the AIBD SA Project Company was created with the mission to ensure the Financing, Construction, Operation and Development of the new airport.

The construction work was launched on 4 April 2007 at a ceremony presided over by the former Head of State, Abdoulaye Wade, in the presence of the Libyan leader, the late Muammar Gaddafi, and several Senegalese and African personalities.

The airport was inaugurated and put into service on 07 December 2017 by the Head of State, H.E. Macky SALL in the presence of several of his African counterparts.

AIBD-SA, a company with a minority public shareholding, represents the State with a 34% stake in LAS (Limak-Aibd-Summa), the company managing Diass airport.

On 10 June 2021, H.E. Macky SALL issued decree n°2021-746 pronouncing the dissolution of the Senegal Airports Agency (ADS) and setting the conditions for the devolution of the Agency’s assets and the redeployment of its staff. The functions formerly assigned to ADS are now exercised by AIBD SA, which is now the owner of all Senegal’s airport infrastructures and also manages the airports of Ziguinchor and Cap Skirring.