Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport in Lome, Togo saw a 6% rise in passenger numbers in the first quarter of 2024, with 325,709 travelers passing through, compared to the same period last year.
According to togofirst.com, The Directorate General of Budget and Finance (DGBF) reported this figure in its recent budget execution report.
This growth continues a positive trend since 2021, following a significant drop in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic when passenger numbers fell nearly 49% from 916,000 in 2019 to just 460,000.
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The increase in passenger traffic aligns with the government’s goal of making Togo an air hub in West Africa, with a target of 1.5 million passengers by 2025.
The growth was spurred by the opening of new air routes. Recently, six new routes were launched, including two by Ethiopian Airlines and four by Asky, bringing the total number of destinations served to 41. Additionally, Liz Aviation has expanded its services to include flights to Ouagadougou, enhancing regional connectivity.
The direct flight from Lomé to Washington, launched by Ethiopian Airlines in June 2022, continues to drive traffic, using Lomé as a transit point to Addis Ababa and other destinations, reinforcing the airport’s role in international aviation.