Tunisia plans a major expansion of its main Tunis–Carthage International Airport at an estimated cost of 3 billion dinars ($1 billion), aiming to nearly quadruple passenger capacity as part of efforts to modernise the nation’s air transport infrastructure.

According to the Transport Ministry, the project will increase the airport’s capacity from 5 million to 18.5 million passengers annually by 2031 and has been included in the 2026 investment budget of the Civil Aviation and Airports Authority. The government has put plans for a new airport on hold, opting instead to expand the existing Tunis–Carthage facility.

The revised project updates a February 2024 plan that had proposed a new terminal to raise capacity to 13 million passengers. The larger target reflects a post-COVID rebound in air traffic, driven by increased Tunisair passenger volumes and the gradual recovery of international tourism.

In 2025, Africa’s airports collectively recorded tens of millions of passenger movements, driven by improved connectivity, infrastructure upgrades, and stronger airline networks.

Following Cairo are O.R. Tambo International Airport in South Africa, Bole International Airport in Ethiopia, Mohammed V in Morocco, and Cape Town International Airport, with Tunis–Carthage ranking tenth, transporting 7.28 million passengers.

Projects like Tunis–Carthage’s expansion illustrate how investment in infrastructure not only increases capacity but also positions African airports to capture more of the growing regional and international passenger traffic, supporting economic growth across the continent.