Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport, International airport and air base in Yoff, Senegal
Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport is an international airport and air base located in Yoff near Dakar's coast with two asphalt runways of different lengths. The facility sits in flat terrain and now primarily handles cargo and charter operations.
During World War II, the airport served as a critical logistics hub for the United States Army Air Forces, connecting operations between Brazil and French West Africa. This strategic role established its importance in the regional air transport network.
The airport was named in 1996 to honor Léopold Sédar Senghor, the first president of Senegal and an influential African poet. This naming reflects the country's respect for one of the continent's key cultural figures.
Visitors should know the airport no longer handles regular passenger flights, as commercial services moved to another location in 2017. Access is restricted to authorized personnel and charter passengers, so you should confirm in advance if and how a visit is possible.
From 1976 to 1982, Air France regularly refueled its legendary Concorde aircraft here during flights between Paris and Rio de Janeiro. This period made the airport a refueling point for one of the world's fastest passenger aircraft.
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