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Dakar's historic gateway on the Atlantic coast of West Africa.
Opened
1946
Location
Dakar, Senegal
Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport, coded DKR/GOOY, served as the principal international airport of Dakar, Senegal, and the entire West African region for decades. Named after Senegal's first president and celebrated poet Léopold Sédar Senghor, it sits on the Cap-Vert Peninsula, approximately 1 km from the city center, making it one of the most centrally located airports in Africa.
The airport handled millions of passengers annually and served as a hub for Air Senegal and a key stopover point for transatlantic and intercontinental routes. However, due to capacity constraints, urban congestion, and limited expansion potential, Senegal opened the new Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) in December 2017 to replace it as the main international gateway. Commercial flights were fully transferred to AIBD by May 2018.
Following the transfer of operations, Léopold Sédar Senghor Airport was closed to commercial traffic, though discussions about repurposing the site for domestic flights, general aviation, or other development uses have been ongoing.
Terminals
The airport had a single main terminal building handling both international and domestic passengers prior to its closure to commercial traffic.
Getting to & from
Ground transport into Dakar city center included taxis and minibuses, with the airport's proximity to downtown making it a very short road journey of roughly 1–2 km.
Airlines here
Air Senegal, Air France, Royal Air Maroc, Brussels Airlines, and various other international carriers operated services through DKR before operations shifted to Blaise Diagne International Airport.
Notable facts
- ›Named after Léopold Sédar Senghor, Senegal's first president and a renowned poet.
- ›Located just 1 km from central Dakar, making it one of the closest international airports to a city center in Africa.
- ›Commercial operations were transferred to the new Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) by May 2018.
- ›The airport operated for over 70 years as Senegal's primary international aviation hub.
- ›Its closure was driven by capacity limitations and inability to expand within the dense urban environment.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
