Air Sénégal International Boeing 737-200; 6V-AHK, July 2002 by Aero Icarus via Flickr Creative Commons

Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport

In 1996, Senegal’s largest airport, located north of Dakar near a community called Yoff, was renamed after the nation’s first president. In 2010, well over a million and a half passengers used this airport as their main gateway to this West African country. This airport, a longtime stopover spot for flights between North America and cities in southern Africa, presently offers non-stop Delta Airlines flights from New York City and South African Airways flights from Washington, D. C. Senegal Airlines, whose head office is part of the airport property, offers dozens of direct flights to cities around the world. All arriving airport passengers must fill out visitors’ forms before proceeding to passport control. Although passengers will encounter several porters offering to carry their luggage at baggage claim, they can always politely decline and carry their own baggage. A currency exchange, post office, tax free shop, bank, and tourist information desk are among the amenities at this airport capable of handling aircraft as large as Boeing 747.

The airport’s taxi service stands to the right of the main terminal, but passengers can also get car rental from car rental from Hertz, Avis, Europcar, or budget. Buses transport passengers from their arriving aircraft to the main Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport terminal building. Origin Africa representatives direct passengers to the vehicles which will take them to their hotels.

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