Conakry airport is situated at the end of the peninsula on the North East part of Conakry city about 13 km from downtown. The airport is connected to the town with a new 9 km long highway arriving at the bridge of 8th November. The suburbs, Matoto, are situated north of the airport area. There is also a military casern next to the airport. 

Runways

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 so aircraft can taxi directly to the location for refueling. There are five possible fuel connections; Apron surface & strength: 25 m Concrete B-747. Surface parking & strength: Concrete + Asphalt to support B747. No use of aircraft stands ID signs. Taxi way guidelines and visual docking/parking guidance system of aircrafts stands. Runway and taxi way markings and lights.

Helicopter Pad(s)

There is no Helicopter Pads at the airport; nevertheless two areas are used as such in the planes parking area facing the domestic terminal.

Airport Infrastructure Details

The airfield is well maintained and so is the equipment. 

Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator

In order to increase the airport's performance, SOGEAC is planning to build a taxi way which will double the capacity of the airport as the planes will be able to taxi during landing or take-off instead of using the only runway available in the airport. 

In order to improve the airport services and attract more air companies (especially cargo), SOGEAC is working on obtaining the RA3 which is a cargo-handling entity located in a third country that is validated and approved as such on the basis of an EU aviation security validation. The RA3 must ensure that security controls, including screening, are applied to all EU/EEA bound consignments and protected from interference. The RA3 and the KC3 checklist is the instrument used by the EU aviation security validator for assessing the level of security applied to EU/EEA bound air cargo or air mail or under the responsibility of the entity seeking designation as a RA3 or KC3. The completed checklist is signed by the EU aviation security validator and, where applicable, commented by the validated entity. If the EU aviation security validator concludes that the entity has succeeded in the complying with the objectives referred to in the checklist, a validation report shall be given to the validated entity. The validation report shall state that the entity is designated Third Country EU aviation security validated Regulars Agent (RA3) or Known Consignor (KC3). The audit will be conducted by Air France. This is the first step to obtain the ACC3 = ‘Air Cargo or Mail Carrier operating into the Union from a Third Country Airport’. It is required by the European Union (including Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) for carriers to fly air cargo into or through the EU. As from 1 July 2014, carrier stations in third countries must have a Security Validation in order to acquire or maintain their ACC3 designation. This validation needs to be reissued every five years. 

Airport Operating Details

Storage Facilities

There are two 40’ Reefer containers available at the airport; one is fixed at +12 and the other is fixed at +4. No negative temperatures are available. SOGEAC is planning a project to increase the storage capacity to 300,000 mt within two years’ time.

Airfield Cost

Navigation Charges

The navigation charges are distinguished by the charges to be paid to the Guinean National Navigation Authority for flights level below 100 which is calculated as following equation: √weight of the plane in mt / 1  x US $65. In addition to that there are the regional navigation charges to be paid to the Flight Information Region based at Roberts International Airport in Monrovia, Liberia for flights level above 100. The landing charges at Gbessia International Airport are detailed per metric ton as each metric ton has a different amount for charging. Airspace is divided into lower and upper airspace and into Flight Information Regions (FIRs), which can, as required, encompass Terminal Control Areas (TMAs) or Upper Control Areas (UTAs). An FIR is an airspace with specific dimensions, in which an information service and an alert service are provided. The Roberts FIR TMA extends 40 nm north of Conakry and 99 nm south of Monrovia. The Roberts FIR is a dismemberment of the Dakar FIR. It was established in January 1975 by Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, which decided to manage their airspace jointly. The FIR was named after Roberts International Airport (also known as Robertsfield), which hosted the headquarters at its creation. The headquarters was transferred to Freetown in June 1990 because of the war in Liberia. It has been based in Conakry since June 1997 as a result of the war in Sierra Leone.

Fuel Services Charges

The Société de Manutention de Carburant Aviation de Guinée (SOMCAG) is the sole provider of the fuel services at the airport. The price of Jet A-1 varies if it is for a domestic flight or an international flight.

Cargo Terminal Charges

For all the cargo terminal charges, it is preferable to negotiate directly with SOGEAC and obtain a quotation. Other charges that could be included are:

• Passenger Service Charges of $25 from Africa to $30 Out of Africa
• Passenger Security Charge of $5
• Infrastructure Charge of $25 per passenger
• Passengers Transportation of $40 per flight
• Toilets servicing of $97.32
• GPU: the first hour is $192.09 and is $96.04 from the second hour 
• ASU is $128.06 per start
• Baggage Recognition of $250

Air-bridge Charges

To be negotiated directly with SOGEAC. 

Security

The security of the airport premises is ensured by the Gendarmerie while the National Police is in charge of the safety of the interior. The level of security procedures is fair. 

Companies Available 

For information on Guinea Conakry Airport contacts, please see the following link: 4.5 Guinea Airport Company Contact List

Information on some aviation service providers can be found at: http://www.azfreight.com/