In brief
- Horn Diplomat reported on 25 March 2017 that the Chinese-built Bosaso International Airport in Puntland had been inaugurated the previous month.
- The report carries officials' claims about trade boosts and design capacity, but it does not establish anything about the airport's status since that date.
- Key details such as project cost, funding source, and current operational performance remain undocumented in the report.
On 25 March 2017, Horn Diplomat published a report stating that the Chinese-built Bosaso International Airport in Puntland State, northeast Somalia, had been inaugurated the previous month. The report, which Horn Diplomat attributes to Xinhua News Agency, describes the project as involving China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) as the construction company.
Puntland’s Minister of Civil Aviation and Airports, Hassan Haji Said, said the airport would significantly boost trade between Puntland and the rest of Somalia while opening the state to global commerce. He also claimed it is the first international airport in Puntland, and that it is fully managed by the Puntland Civil Aviation Authority. The minister noted the need for collaboration with Chinese experts on possible future expansion.
CCECC project manager Chen Wulin said the airport is expected to increase trade between China and Puntland and promote the flow of goods and materials. He claimed the airport meets international standards and has been accepted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). He also said the airport is designed as a Class 4E airport able to handle Boeing 737 or equivalent large aircraft.
The report states that 35 Chinese experts and 230 Somali workers were involved in construction, and that the airport has a capacity of 200,000 passengers per year, although it does not name the source for that figure. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud spoke at the opening, describing the construction as one of the major infrastructure developments and a commitment towards the country’s recovery.
Bosaso is the commercial capital of Puntland with one of the busiest seaports in the country. The Horn Diplomat article does not state the project cost, funding source, contract value, or exact inauguration date. It provides no information about the airport's operational status, passenger throughput, or any developments after 25 March 2017.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the airport being built?
The airport is in Bosaso, Puntland State, northeast Somalia.
Which Chinese company is the contractor?
China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) is described as the construction company.
What is the current construction phase and expected completion?
The report states the airport was inaugurated in the month before 25 March 2017, but does not provide current operational status or any details after that date.