Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport (French: Aéroport international de Yaoundé-Nsimalen) (IATA: NSI, ICAO: FKYS), also known as Nsimalen airport, is the second busiest and largest public airport in Cameroon. The airport is located 27 km (16 miles) south of the capital Yaoundé, near Nsimalen in Cameroon's Centre Province. Nsimalen was built to supersede the old international airport in Yaoundé that was getting absorbed by the rapid growth of the city, it was also too close to the oil deposits of SCDP (Cameroon Oil Company Filings). This former international airport of Yaoundé now serves as an airbase for the air force of Cameroon.
In 2004, the Nsimalen airport served 190,487 passengers. Yaoundé Nsimalen International airport has 14 direct flights to 11 countries. It is also the focus city for the most popular airline in Cameroon, CAMAIR-CO also known as Cameroon Airlines.
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Airlines and destinations
Facilities and aircraft
Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport covers 3,065 acres (1240 ha) at an elevation of 694 m (2 276 ft), and includes one passenger terminal, one cargo terminal and 6 aircraft stands. Nsimalen airport currently has one runway: heading 01/19, 3,400 m (11 154 ft) in length, with a width of 45 m (147 ft)., which could accommodate a B747.
The airport's growth of international traffic is 4% per year. The government has set a goal of servicing 1.5 million passengers and 50,000 tons of cargo per year.
Cargo facilities are equipped with a 1,839 m² (19 794 sq ft) warehouse, 12 x 747 Freighter docks, a transit zone, animal quarantine, health office, X-ray/handling/mechanical equipment and refrigerated storage.
Nsimalen International Airport is equipped with modern facilities and can be accessed through 4 gates. It has 6 parking facilities, 2 of which are for long term use. Inside the terminal there are 10 check-in desks, currency exchange office, post office, restaurants, tourist information centre, business centre, banks and car rental and taxi services.
Accidents and incidents
The following accidents and incidents occurred either at the airport, or involved aircraft from the airport.
- On 30 August 1984, Cameroon Airlines Flight 786, a Boeing 737-200 registered as (TJ-CBD), experienced an engine malfunction when taxiing at Douala International Airport prior to departure for Yaoundé. A fire from the damaged fuel tank engulfed the aircraft causing it to burn out. Two passengers were trapped by the flames and died. The remaining 107 passengers and seven crew members were able to evacuate the plane safely.
- On 28 June 1989, a Cameroon Airlines Hawker Siddeley HS 748 plane from Bafoussam registered as (TJ-CCF) overshot the runway by 43 m upon landing in stormy weather at Yaoundé International Airport following a scheduled flight from Douala and collided with an embankment, killing the two pilots and one of the 45 passengers on board.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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