ENFIDHA ZINE EL ABIDINE BEN ALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

In recent years Tunisia has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa. The attraction of the Sahara Desert, its temperate climate, bright skies, fine hotels and beach resorts, golf courses and other features make it a must-see country for adventure-seeking travelers, particularly Europeans.

In order to handle the increase in air traffic, Tunisia’s Ministry of Communications, Technology and Transport, along with the Tunisian Airport Authority (OACA), made the bold decision to erect a world-class airport on a 6,500-hectare site in Enfidha, in the heart of the country’s primary northeast tourist region. In being awarded the tender, TAV Construction and TAV Airports Holding beat out some of the world’s leading airport building and operation companies. The BOT tender, a 40-year concession, also includes the operation of the existing nearby Monastir Airport, about 60 km away, thereby eliminating any unnecessary competition between the two facilities.

Situated approximately 80 km south of the capital city Tunis, the new airport will be an architectural and aesthetic wonder, boasting of the latest technology and first class facilities and services, both for passengers and the airlines themselves.

The terminal will be over 90,000 m² area and is originally designed for a capacity of 7,000,000 passengers annually. With future expansion it will be able to accommodate up to 22,000,000 travelers per year by the middle of the century. The initial work will include a total connected apron area of 72,000 m² with a capacity to handle 18 aircraft. The remote apron area will cover 57,000 m², sufficient for 14 airplanes. The runway length will be 3,300 meters, while the width will total 75 meters. In all, 18 passenger boarding bridges will be built, along with check-in counters, baggage carousels, immigration and customs booths, etc. commensurate with the size of the airport. Every traveler’s need has been thought about in detail and the airport will feature shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafes and every other service imaginable. The finished work will ensure safe, comfortable and enjoyable travel for all who come to this enchanting land.

Construction on the new Enfidha International Airport began in June of 2007.. The operation contract will begin when the building work is finished, around October 2009.
Turkish operator TAV is a operator selected for construction Enfidha airport
The last round of the invitation to tender relating to the concession during forty years of the new airport of Enfidha was gained by Turkish operator TAV.

The concession relates to the construction and the exploitation of the airport of Enfidha and the exploitation of the airport of Monastir. The total amount is 400 million euros, according to the director of TAV, Mr. Haluk Bilgi. On the seven operators having taken part in the invitation to tender, four were finally, namely Aéroport of Nice (France), the Canadian SNC Lavelin, allemande Hochtief and the émirati Mudabele. The entry in activity of the airport of Enfidha is planned for 2009. The starting of the building site is envisaged in the next few weeks.