The YOGOC and Blaise Diagne International Airport have just signed a partnership agreement. This agreement will enable coordination between all airport stakeholders to ensure a smooth, secure and exemplary welcome for participants in the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games.
The organisation of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the first edition to be held on the African continent, is continuing. Agreements are being signed left and right, and among the key partners of the Organising Committee (YOGOC) is Blaise Diagne International Airport.
As the country's main gateway, AIBD occupies a strategic position within the YOG organisational structure. To this end, a partnership agreement between the YOGOC and Senegal's main airport operators, namely LAS, 2AS, ANACIM and HAAS, was signed on Thursday 22 of January. It aims to ensure the smooth running of operations and the safety of visitors in the context of high international traffic due to the YOG.
Technical and human support
Specifically, this agreement stipulates that LAS, the current operator of Blaise Diagne International Airport, will strengthen the training, coordination and mobilisation of its teams – reception staff, operational teams, technical services, security, maintenance and administration – in order to ensure a smooth, secure welcome that meets Olympic standards for all athletes, officials and delegations.
ANACIM, the national civil aviation and meteorology agency, will support the YOGOC with meteorological assistance and site management support during all critical phases, from the torch relay to the competitions. The agency will work closely with the YOGOC Arrivals and Departures departments and stakeholders at Blaise Diagne International Airport, while conducting awareness-raising activities for optimal flow management and facilitating the issuance of charter flight authorisations for delegations, officials and the media.
15,000 people expected
The venue will be “the gateway for thousands of people travelling from all over the world”, emphasised Ibrahima Wade, YOGOC General Coordinator, at the signing of the agreement.
During the Dakar 2026 YOG, 15,000 people are expected to pass through the airport in a very short period of time. The challenges are considerable in terms of managing an exceptional flow of travellers, ensuring their safety and the security of the venues, and handling luggage and sensitive sports equipment.
A first for Africa
In addition to these operations, flow management will also be key to preserving Senegal's image on the world stage and demonstrating the country's operational and structural capacity as the first African state in history to host an Olympic sporting event on its soil.
Blaise Diagne Airport is more than ever a strategic showcase for Senegal's professionalism and hospitality and will ensure that delegations and partners from around the world receive the best possible welcome, thanks in particular to the support of the air transport gendarmerie, the airport police, service companies (Lagardère, SMCADY, Servair, Aimac, Sonaged), as well as the municipality of Diass.
« Nous sommes prêts à accueillir le monde dans les meilleures conditions », a encore déclaré Ibrahima Wade, saluant une convention stratégique avec un pilier opérationnel de la réussite des Jeux Olympiques de la Jeunesse Dakar 2026.
