Conakry Gbessia International Airport

Conakry airport is interesting. I paused when writing this to think of another word but that is all that came to mind. My first time in Conakry was in July of 2005 and the airport was pretty much one big hanger. The Air France plane landed, we walked off the plane on to the runway and were directed where to line up to go through immigration. It was just that. The airport was not well lit, the staff was nice and our luggage was waiting for us when we got to baggage claim. It wasn’t a bad experience but it wasn’t anything great either. My second time using the Conakry airport was actually during that same trip. My mother and I were traveling to Dakar, Senegal to visit a friend for a weekend. We took Air Senegal which in Africa is known as “Air peut-être” (Air maybe) because sometimes they arrive and sometimes they are seriously delayed. So never bet any money that Air Senegal will arrive on time because you will probably lose all of it. Anyways, Air peut-être was the only airline that had two seats left for the time we wanted to go to Dakar. We arrived at the Conakry airport on time for out 8pm flight. Getting through security was easy. There was one gift shop that had an open sign on the door, but the shop was dark, and the door was locked. The shop owner was nearby but chatting with her friend. She came when she realized there were people who wanted to look in her shop. The women’s bathroom had no toilet paper, so me and my mom and two other ladies had to go and use the men’s bathroom. Here is the kind of yucky part, there was no water coming out of the tap in both bathrooms to wash our hands. So hand sanitizer it was. The waiting lounge by the gates were not bad, the airport or hanger was very airy and spacious. There was enough seating and one café that served small nibbles, coffee and tea. Anyways, our flight arrived in Dakar 6 hours later than planned.

My most recent time flying in and out of Conakry was in August of 2013. I was very surprised. The airport has gone through a major renovation and it is rumoured that it is Air France who has done it. Well WHOO HOOO Air France! Because the hanger needed a facelift! The new airport has tall ceilings the area by the departure gates is very modern and spacious and well lit. There is only one eating option, a café that sells sandwiches, salads, tea and coffee. But I was satisfied with my tea and cookie. The staff was nice like always and getting through security and then making our way to our gates was very hassle free.