In brief
- In February 2016, Wardheer News reported that officials claimed a Chinese-built airport in Puntland, Somalia, would boost trade.
- The report details capacity, workforce, and management claims, but provides no independent verification or project cost.
- No evidence is available on whether the predicted benefits materialized after the inauguration.
On 26 February 2016, Wardheer News reported that a Chinese-built airport in Somalia's Puntland State was set to promote trade, citing authorities. The report, sourced from Xinhua, described an airport project in northeast Somalia that officials said would significantly boost trade between Puntland and the rest of Somalia while opening the state for global commerce.
Hassan Haji Said, Puntland's Minister of Civil Aviation and Airports, asserted that the airport is the first international airport in Puntland and will have a great impact on the overall socio-economic development of the region, according to the report. He said it would improve connections between Puntland, other Somali regions and the outside world, and help improve the economy, commerce, investment and job creation. Said also claimed that the city of Bosaso, where the airport is located, will soon be the trade hub not just in Somalia but in the Gulf region.
Airport project manager Chen Wulin, as quoted in the report, said the airport has a capacity of 200,000 passengers per year and would equally boost Somalia-China trade. Chen said the airport is designed as a Class 4E airport which can handle Boeing 737 or equivalent large aircraft, and that it meets international standards and has been accepted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
According to airport engineer Abdulkadir Ali, a total of 35 Chinese experts and 230 Somali workers were involved in the construction. The aviation minister said the airport is fully managed by the Puntland Civil Aviation Authority and noted the need for collaboration with Chinese experts, especially on possible future expansion. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the construction was one of the major infrastructure developments and a commitment towards the country's recovery, the report stated.
The project's contractor is identified in the report as China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), which indicated the airport will open up trade between Somalia and China. However, the report does not state the project's construction cost, contract value, or funding source. The exact inauguration date is not given; the report only says it occurred "last month" relative to the publication date.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is the article about?
The airport is in Puntland State, Somalia, and is referred to in the report as Bosaso Airport. The report says it is the first international airport in Puntland.
Who built the airport?
According to the 2016 report, the construction company was China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC).
What is the airport's capacity?
Chen Wulin, the airport project manager, said the airport has a capacity of 200,000 passengers per year and is designed as a Class 4E airport.