• Tunisia plans a major expansion of Tunis-Carthage Airport to handle rising air traffic.
• The project aims to raise annual capacity from about 5 million to 18.5 million passengers by 2031.
• The investment is estimated at 3 billion dinars, or about $1 billion.

Tunisia has confirmed plans to expand Tunis-Carthage International Airport in order to adapt the infrastructure to the expected rise in air traffic over the next decade. The Ministry of Transport said the project will almost quadruple the airport’s annual capacity, increasing it from about 5 million passengers to around 18.5 million by 2031.

According to details reported by Reuters on Sunday, March 8, the investment required is estimated at 3 billion Tunisian dinars, or about $1 billion. Authorities have included the expansion program in the 2026 investment budget of the Civil Aviation and Airports Authority (OACA). The government said it has, for now, abandoned plans to build a new airport, choosing instead to focus on expanding Tunis-Carthage.

Modernizing the country’s main air gateway

Located near the capital, the airport plays a central role in Tunisia’s connectivity. It handles a large share of the country’s air traffic and is one of the main entry points for international visitors. In 2024, Tunisia recorded a total of 12.5 million air passengers, with more than half passing through Tunis-Carthage.

The expansion project is primarily aimed at adapting the infrastructure to the growth in air traffic seen since the post-pandemic recovery. Authorities also hope it will improve the country’s competitiveness with rival Mediterranean aviation hubs.

The idea of expanding the airport is not new. In November 2025, the Tunisian government had already discussed the project during a presentation by the Minister of Transport before the Chamber of Representatives. At the time, details reported by the local press mentioned a similar investment of about 3 billion dinars, with the goal of raising annual capacity to 18 million passengers, compared with around 7.2 million recorded in 2024.

Several additional elements were also mentioned at the time. The project could include a metro line connecting the airport to downtown Tunis, aimed at improving urban connectivity and reducing road congestion around the capital. The government also considered structuring the project as a turnkey contract awarded after a prequalification phase.

At this stage, several uncertainties remain. The precise timeline of the project has not yet been clarified, particularly regarding the start of construction or the award of the contract.

Louis-Nino Kansoun