Mbanza Kongo, in Zaire province, benefited from its first aeronautical infrastructure in 1961, with the construction of an expanded aerodrome in 1967. Currently, the infrastructure is surrounded by constructions and the "runway serves as an obligatory crossing for the populations which are intended for their place of work and schools which considerably affects the operational safety and security against acts of lawful interference of the local Airport".
A statement sent to VerAngola said that taking into account the current state of the airport as well as its location and the "elevation of the city of Mbanza Kongo to the cultural heritage of humanity and within the scope of the Executive's strategy in the construction and modernization of infrastructures program, Airport structures, provided for in PDN 2018-2022, to allow the interconnection of the country's modal system, the expense was authorized and the opening of a limited tender procedure was formalized by prior qualification for Design, Construction, Supply, Installation of Equipment and Equipment for the New Mbanza Kongo Airport, by presidential order No. 139/19 of 23 July, which culminated in the contracting of the contractor to Sinohydro Angola".
The note reveals that the construction of this airport will create around 500 jobs: "The construction of the New Mbanza Kongo Airport will generate around 500 jobs for the citizens of the region".
The new Mbanza Kongo airport will be an international airport, which will feature "a terminal capable of handling 150 passengers at peak hours, 2000 passengers per year, with a growth of 20 percent over 20 years of operation".
In addition, the runway also "will receive E-code aircraft, equivalent to the B777-300ER, will allow category 2 instrument flights and all conditions for day and night operations."
The statement said that the airport will also have parking for planes, which will have capacity for four fixed-wing and two rotary-wing aircraft. As for the parking of vehicles, there will be space for light vehicles, mini-buses and buses.
The contract also provides for the installation of "for cat 9 fire services, control tower, cargo terminal, operations building, water treatment plant, waste water treatment plant, solid waste transfer zone, central electrical and central heating".
The passenger terminal also estimates the installation of commercial areas, immigration and foreign services, fiscal police, AGT and airlines, the note said.
"Areas are planned for the future installation of hotels, a hangar for aircraft maintenance and other installations included in the future development plan of the Mbanza Kongo International Airport, which will be designated Nimi a Lukeny International Airport", completes the note.
