Malabo International Airport
Encyclopedia
Malabo Airport or Saint Isabel Airport is an airport located at Punta Europa, Bioko Island
, Equatorial Guinea
. The airport is named after the capital, Malabo
, approximately 9 kilometres to the east. Until the discovery of oil within the borders of Equatorial Guinea during the mid-90s, the airport was a tin-roofed shack that only serviced one international flight, the government was the main user of the airport. Today it is used mainly by two opposing groups; the Petroleum industry
and conservationists. During the Nigerian Civil War
, the airport was used as a base for flights into Biafra
.
The old tin shack that used to greet arrivals has been replaced by a modern airport lounge
. The airport now receives a comfortable amount of foreign traffic, although parts of the runway are in need of repair. Despite recent progress, Malabo airport is one of only two paved airports in Equatorial Guinea, according to the CIA world factbook's entry for the country, with the other being Bata Airport
, located on mainland Africa. The hangars can service large aircraft such as the McDonnell Douglas DC-10
or the C-130 Hercules
. In 2001, the airport served 34,500 passengers and that number has since risen.
Bioko
Bioko is an island 32 km off the west coast of Africa, specifically Cameroon, in the Gulf of Guinea. It is the northernmost part of Equatorial Guinea with a population of 124,000 and an area of . It is volcanic with its highest peak the Pico Basile at .-Geography:Bioko has a total area of...
, Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea, officially the Republic of Equatorial Guinea where the capital Malabo is situated.Annobón is the southernmost island of Equatorial Guinea and is situated just south of the equator. Bioko island is the northernmost point of Equatorial Guinea. Between the two islands and to the...
. The airport is named after the capital, Malabo
Malabo
Malabo is the capital of Equatorial Guinea, located on the northern coast of Bioko Island on the rim of a sunken volcano....
, approximately 9 kilometres to the east. Until the discovery of oil within the borders of Equatorial Guinea during the mid-90s, the airport was a tin-roofed shack that only serviced one international flight, the government was the main user of the airport. Today it is used mainly by two opposing groups; the Petroleum industry
Petroleum industry
The petroleum industry includes the global processes of exploration, extraction, refining, transporting , and marketing petroleum products. The largest volume products of the industry are fuel oil and gasoline...
and conservationists. During the Nigerian Civil War
Nigerian Civil War
The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Nigerian-Biafran War, 6 July 1967–15 January 1970, was a political conflict caused by the attempted secession of the southeastern provinces of Nigeria as the self-proclaimed Republic of Biafra...
, the airport was used as a base for flights into Biafra
Biafra
Biafra, officially the Republic of Biafra, was a secessionist state in south-eastern Nigeria that existed from 30 May 1967 to 15 January 1970, taking its name from the Bight of Biafra . The inhabitants were mostly the Igbo people who led the secession due to economic, ethnic, cultural and religious...
.
The old tin shack that used to greet arrivals has been replaced by a modern airport lounge
Airport lounge
An airport lounge is a lounge owned by a particular airline . Many offer private meeting rooms, phone, fax, wireless and Internet access and other business services, along with provisions to enhance comfort such as free drinks and snacks...
. The airport now receives a comfortable amount of foreign traffic, although parts of the runway are in need of repair. Despite recent progress, Malabo airport is one of only two paved airports in Equatorial Guinea, according to the CIA world factbook's entry for the country, with the other being Bata Airport
Bata Airport
Bata Airport is the second largest airport in Equatorial Guinea, after Malabo Airport, and is the only other paved runway.- About :The airport is located some way north of Bata and a short way south of Ulonde, it has a 2.3 km runway that operates only during the daytime and in good light...
, located on mainland Africa. The hangars can service large aircraft such as the McDonnell Douglas DC-10
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engine widebody jet airliner manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. The DC-10 has range for medium- to long-haul flights, capable of carrying a maximum 380 passengers. Its most distinguishing feature is the two turbofan engines mounted on underwing pylons and a...
or the C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
. In 2001, the airport served 34,500 passengers and that number has since risen.
Airlines and destinations
Cargo airlines
- MK Freighters/PanalpinaPanalpinaPanalpina is a Swiss company, provider of forwarding and logistics services, specializing in intercontinental air and ocean freight and associated supply chain management solutions. It operates a network of some 500 branches in more than 90 countries; in a further 60 countries, the group cooperates...
- World AirwaysWorld AirwaysWorld Airways, Inc. is an American airline headquartered at the HLH Building in Peachtree City, Georgia. For the most part, the company operates non-scheduled services. Its main aircraft and maintenance base is Tampa International Airport.-History:...
- CEIBA IntercontinentalCEIBA IntercontinentalCEIBA Intercontinental is an airline based in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Its main base is Malabo International Airport.The airline is on the list of air carriers banned in the European Union....