International Airport (Aéroport International de Cotonou - Cardinal Bernardin Gantin)
Cotonou-Cadjehoun Airport is the only international airport of the country. It is located about 5km from downtown. Cotonou International Airport is the largest airport in Benin. Its international code (IATA code) is COO. This is the one that appears on your luggage labels when you take a flight to Benin. Its ICAO code is DBBB. It was renamed Cardinal Bernardin Gantin International Airport by President Thomas Yayi Boni. Cardinal Bernardin Gantin deceased on May 13, 2008, was a Benin cardinal who was the first African to head a dicastery in Saint-Pierre-de-Rome.
The Cotonou International Airport allows domestic service as well as international and intercontinental flights and is also a base of the Benin Air Force and a place of practice of leisure aviation.
Location Details |
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Country |
Rep of Benin |
Latitude |
6° 21′ 26″ N
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Province / District |
Littoral
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Longitude |
2° 23′ 4″ E |
Town or City (Closest) |
Cotonou
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Elevation (ft and m) |
6 M (20 FT)
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Airfield Name |
Cardinal Bernardin Gantin International Airport of Cotonou)- COO
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IATA and ICAO Codes |
COO/ DBBB |
Open From (hours) |
00:00H
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Open To (hours) |
24H
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Runways
The airport complex covers 250 hectares at an altitude close to that of the sea (6m). Its single-track measures 2400 meters over a width of 45 meters on a 06/24 orientation.
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 pattem on the right obligatory for RWY 24 and circuit pattem on the right prohibited for RWY 06. U-turn on runway prohibited for ACFT superior to 40 T weight. Obligatory U-tum on the tum-over aeras at the end of runway.
So, the 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 tum-around system - TWY: Blue lights LIL.
There isn’t in the others AD in Benin, any local meteorological center 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.
Runway #1 |
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Runway Dimensions |
2,400 M x 45M |
Orientation |
6/24
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Surface |
Concrete
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Helicopter Pad(s)
There is no Helicopter Pads at the Benin airport. The Airport authorities are using some nevertheless spaces of the aeroplanes for helicopters like the planes parking area inside the domestic terminal.
Airport Infrastructure Details
As per the news obtained from airport authorities, the 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 the car park routes on the renovated areas, including the positions for the wide-body aircraft. The new arrival hall has finally opened in early December 2017 after a delay of more than a year.
However, there is still a deterioration of the state of the airport equipment including for the most recent equipment with recurring breakdowns (eg all X-Ray emergency scanners are down).
Finally, the state of the airport fence is becoming more and more worrying with holes in some places. It is therefore necessary to rehabilitate and enhance it as soon as possible.
The airfield and the equipment are well maintained. Accessible sanitary facilities, shops, parking, refreshments and air-conditioned halls allow passengers to wait for their flight in the best conditions. With a flight timeliness greater than 90%, the Cotonou International Airport guarantees you a flawless air experience.
To facilitate the trip, they advise all the passengers to take all the necessary measures to be in order with the sanitary formalities (vaccines, vaccination book), customs and administrative (passport, visa, etc.).
Customs |
Yes |
JET A-1 fuel |
Yes |
Immigration |
Yes |
AVGAS 100 |
Yes |
Terminal Building |
Yes |
Single Point Refuelling |
Yes |
Passenger Terminal |
Yes |
Air Starter Units |
Yes |
Cargo terminal |
Yes |
Ground Power (mobile) |
Yes |
Pax transport to airfield |
Yes |
Ground Handling Services |
Yes |
Control Tower |
Yes |
Latrine Servicing |
Yes |
Weather Facilities |
Yes |
Fire Fighting Category (ICAO) |
Yes |
Catering Services |
Yes |
De-icing Equipment |
Yes |
Base Operating Room |
Yes |
Parking Ramp Lighting |
Yes |
Airport Radar |
Yes |
Approach & Runway Lights |
Approach Lights : N/A Runway lights : Yes |
NDB |
Yes |
VOR |
Yes |
ILS |
Yes
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Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator
Cotonou International Airport recorded for the month of November 2022:
❖42,631 passengers (20,462 arrivals & 20,355 departures),
❖684 movements and
❖395 tonnes of cargo (160 Import & 235 Export).
Passenger traffic (42,631): an increase of (+26%) compared to traffic in November 2021.
The Maghreb & the West occupies first place with 17,966 passengers, second place goes to West Africa with 12,223 passengers and Central Africa occupies 3rd place with 7,494 passengers. Cumulative traffic is +32% compared at the same time of year 2021.
Aircraft movements (684): an increase of (+5%) compared to aircraft movement traffic in November 2021. West Africa occupies first place with 313 movements, the Maghreb & the West occupies second place with 189 movements, Central Africa comes in third position with 189 movements, and finally East Africa & Australia occupies last place with 34 movements. Cumulative traffic is +18% compared to the same period of the year 2021.
Performance for November 2022 |
Annual Figures |
Monthly |
Daily |
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Total aircraft movements |
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684 |
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Total passengers |
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42 631 |
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Total capacity of the airport (metric tonnes) |
25,000 Mt |
2, 083 Mt |
690 Kg |
Current activity of the airport (metric tonnes Oct 2018 before Dec 2018) |
24,000 Mt |
2,400 Mt |
800 Kg |
Current use by Humanitarian flights (UNHAS) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Airport Operating Details
Cotonou Airport is managed by Paris International Airport (PIA). Based on the report of the Ad Hoc Committee set up by the Beninese State to define a better management framework for Benin's aerodromes, the Beninese Government authorized the creation of a public-law, the holding and management of airport assets in Benin. As such, it has been established that specialized companies recruited to manage. Therefore, the government has agreed to negotiate with Paris International Airport for the management of Cotonou Airport.
The contract for the completion of the work of Glo-Djigbé International Airport (40 Km out of Cotonou) was signed between Benin and China in 2017. The execution of this contract will last three (3) years, and the technical follow-up is entrusted to the Paris airport. China has promised to deliver the brand-new airport before 2021. It will be remembered that this project is one of the first to be tackled by the Government as soon as it is taken over and re-stated in the PAG Government's action program. From now on, its realization enters in its active phase and associates China, France and Benin. The Council of Ministers yesterday validated this project whose outcome will reveal even more Benin our country in the sub region and in the world. Slowly but surely the government of Patrice Talon accomplishes without hype the sites announced to the Beninese people
It’s to note that the former President Yayi Boni has inaugurated on April 5, 2016 (the day before the investiture of President Talon), Tourou airport located in the city of Parakou in the north of the country. Infrastructure is still under construction, and that work is still struggling to move forward.
Operating Details |
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Maximum sized aircraft which can be offloaded on bulk cargo: |
AN 124 100/200 |
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Maximum sized aircraft that can be offloaded on pallet |
747 cargoes/A300 |
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Total aircraft parking area (m²) |
32,000 |
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Storage Area (mt) |
46,420 |
Cubic Meters (m³) |
4,642,000 |
Cargo Handling Equipment Available (Yes / No) |
Yes |
If "Yes" specify below |
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Elevators / Hi Loaders (Yes / No) |
Yes |
Max Capacity (Mt) |
45 |
Can elevators / hi loaders reach the upper level of a B747 (Yes / No) |
Yes |
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Loading Ramps (Yes / No) |
Yes |
Storage Facilities
Modem handling facilities Weight limited under 14000 KGS
Airfield Cost
Navigation Charges
The Authorities of the airport applied to the passenger services the following charges:
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1 700 XOF per departing passenger for domestic flights
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10 000 XOF per departing passenger for international tax.
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8 350 XOF per passenger for transportation charge
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1 000 XOF per passenger for security for domestic flights
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5 200 XOF per passenger for international flights.
Import |
Rate US$ / kg |
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Handling Charge per kg |
High Intensity -Cotonou, Airport 83,000 XOF / MT for aircraft of 75 tonnes or less 108,000 XOF / MT for Aircraft over 75 tonnes Low Intensity 40,500 XOF /MT |
Break Bulk Fee |
50 XOF/Kg |
Diplomatic Mail |
Free |
Strong Room – per consignment |
yes |
Cold Storage Fee |
No |
Delivery outside normal working hours |
21% |
Preparation of substitute AOA – Invoice – Receipt |
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Storage per kg per day – Grace period? hours |
Maxi 5 working days |
Export |
Rate US$ / kg |
Handling charges – Unpalletized cargo |
132/Mt |
International Air WayBill |
?? |
Local Air WayBill |
?? |
Air Way Bill Amendment - Cancellation |
N/A |
Air Way Bill Documentation |
?? |
Diplomatic Mail |
Free |
Storage charges per kg per day |
50 XOF/Kg |
Air-bridge Charges
The Air-bridges are not available at the airport. It has been directly negotiated directly by PIA.
Security
The security of the airport premises is ensured by the National Air Police agents who are also in charge of the safety of the interior. The level of security procedures is fair. CCTV is being installed in the airport premises. Scanning machines are available at the airport. The airport is fenced and guarded by security agents. Outing Gate Payment materials are being installed.
Companies Available
COTONOU AIRPORT LINK TO COMPANY CONTACT LIST.
Aircraft Weight - MTOW (kg) |
Navigation (per journey) USD - $ |
Landing USD - $ |
Night Landing USD - $ |
Night Take-Off USD - $ |
Parking |
Handling Charges |
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0
7,001
136,001 |
7,000
136,000
and over |
Maximum take-off weight in Certificate of Airworthiness and distance flown. For MTOW up to 14 tonnes, the charge payable is fixed at the rate of EUR 211.69 on international flights, EUR 88.14 on national flights and 84.99 on regional flights |
International First 25 tonnes: 2 616 XOF / MT From the 26th to the 75th tonne: 5 229 XOF / MT From the 76th to the l50th tonne: 7 397 XOF / MT Over 150 tonnes: 6 945 XOF / MT Domestic First 14 tonnes: 572 (min 1 439) XOF / MT From the l5th to the 25th tonne: 2 113 XOF / MT From the 26th to the 75th tonne: 4 218 XOF / MT From the 76th to the l50th tonne: 5 333 XOF / MT Over 150 tonnes: 4 984 XOF / MT Tourist aircraft weighing 2 tonnes or less: 1 439 XOF / MT |
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PARKING CHARGES First two hours free; thereafter: Aircraft Weight x hours x tariff: Tariff on traffic Aprons: 50 XOF x Tariff other areas: 25 XOF |
High Intensity (at Niamey airport only) 83 746 F CFA / MT for aircraft of 75 tonnes or less 106 079 F CFA / MT for Aircraft over 75 tonnes Low Intensity 41 876 F CFA /MT |
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Note 1: Night landing hours are between 00:00 – 24:00 hours Note 2: Parking charges are for each 1 hour or part of. $0.4 per Mt / per hour from the second hour. |
Fuel Services Charges
The SONACOP is the sole provider of the fuel services at the airport. The price of Jet A-1 varies if it is for a domestic flight or an international flight.
KER (JET A1): Flow 135 M3/H Capacity 760 M3. Payment in € and US$ or FCFACORLAY BENIN (MRS): KER (JET A1): Flow 180 M3/H Capacity 530 M3 - KER (JET A1): PUMA ENERGY BENIN. Flow 120 M3/H - Capacity 685 M3. Payment cash in US$ and € or FCFA. Payment by credit cards (UVAIR/WORLD FUEL SERVICES). Services period: 24 hours /24 - 7days /7. 24HR for volume upper above 465 M3Payment in € - US$ or FCFA. Credit cards (UVAIR). Card MRS, world fuel accepted only by service CORLAY-BENIN (MRS). Types of the fuel are KER (JET A1): CORLAY-BENIN (MRS), PUMA ENERGY BENIN et SONACOP
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Price per Unit |
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Jet A-1 |
1.1410/Litre |
Avgas |
0.97/Litre |
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 $26 from Africa to $31 Out of Africa
Passenger Security Charge of $5
ASU is $128.06 per start
Baggage Recognition of $248
Infrastructure Charge of $25 per Passenger
GPU: the first hour is $193 and is $96 from the second hour
Passengers Transportation of $41 per flight
Toilets servicing of $96.29