Modernization of Bamenda Airport: Towards International Standards
Published: Thursday, 07 May 2026 12:29
The rehabilitation works at Bamenda-Bafut Airport (IATA code: BPC) mark a new milestone in its transformation into a modern platform compliant with international regulatory requirements.
With the Pope's visit to Cameroon, Bamenda-Bafut Airport underwent a significant transformation through urgent works undertaken to ensure safety and facilitate smooth air traffic operations. These efforts also aimed to support regional connectivity and stimulate the local economy.
The works were carried out by the technical teams of the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA), in collaboration with specialists from ASECNA (Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar).
To meet the highest safety standards, the CCAA invested in precision engineering, equipping the airport with advanced navigation instruments. The installation of the Localizer (LLZ), a central component of the Instrument Landing System (ILS), illustrates this commitment. Technical teams, with ASECNA’s support, completed the installation of antennas and system connectivity, enabling pilots to receive reliable ground signals. Complementing this, the Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) and the calibration of the Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI) now ensure landing trajectories of millimetric accuracy.
It is worth noting that modernization extended beyond navigation systems. It included a comprehensive overhaul of operational capacities to reinforce safety:
-Fire Safety: The Rescue and Firefighting Service (RFFS) has been significantly strengthened.
-Airport Security: Passengers now benefit from a fully modernized screening and detection system, including X-ray scanners.
-Satellite Navigation: The validation of Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) procedures marks Bamenda’s entry into the select group of airports using satellite technologies to streamline traffic.
-Domestic Security of the Airport: Measures have been implemented to safeguard infrastructure integrity.
Although some adjustments are still being finalized, Bamenda Airport today stands as a modern, reliable, and secure facility, ready to accommodate commercial air transport. The CCAA is committed to consolidating these developments into a sustainable and modern infrastructure.
The history of this airport, situated in the highlands of the Northwest Region, dates back to 1985 with the inauguration of a 2,500-meter runway by the President of the Republic, H.E. Paul Biya. After a period of underutilization, marked by incidents in 2019 that led to its closure, the airport is now reconnecting with its potential.
The modernization of Bamenda-Bafut Airport is more than a simple upgrade; it represents a strategic lever for the region's economic development.
Translation: MKG/ARO-PRU
