Bamako's Modibo Keïta International Airport (formerly Bamako-Sénou): location, terminal, key facts
Modibo Keïta International Airport is Mali's main airport and Bamako's air gateway. It lies in the Sénou neighbourhood, south of the city. Here are the useful facts.
Official advice: in October 2026, France and the United Kingdom advise against all travel to Mali; for people already there, they recommend leaving on commercial flights, and the UK advises against leaving the country by road. See our page on safety and travel advice.
Key points
- About 15 km south of the city centre, within the District of Bamako.
- Opened in 1974 as Bamako-Sénou, renamed in December 2015 after the first president, Modibo Keïta.
- Run by Aéroports du Mali (ADM).
- A 3,200 m by 45 m runway; a new 15,000 m² terminal opened in 2016.
An airport expanded in stages
| Landmark | Detail (Wikipedia) |
|---|---|
| Opening | 1974, designed for 250,000 passengers a year |
| Traffic | nearly 600,000 passengers in 2007 |
| Runway | originally 2,700 m, extended by 500 m: 3,200 m by 45 m |
| Terminals | original 2,400 m² building (1975) and a 1,000 m² extension built for AFCON 2002 |
| New terminal | works from 2010 (road access, car parks, drainage), 15,000 m² terminal opened in 2016 |
| Other uses | African Institute of Aviation Trades; Air Base 101, the Malian air force's main base |
The renovation received funding from the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
What changes in 2026
- Decree no. 2026-0597/PT-RM authorises and declares of public utility urgent works on bypass roads around the airport zone, the OMAP depot and Base 101 (Official Journal no. 22 of 2026).
- Decree no. 2026-0600/PT-RM approves the amended statutes of Mali Airlines SA (same Official Journal).
Getting to the airport
The airport is linked to the centre via the right bank of the Niger; avenue de l'OUA, which starts at Martyrs Bridge, is the main road between the city centre and the airport: see our page on Bamako's bridges. The surrounding area is covered on our Sénou page, the most populous neighbourhood of the 6th arrondissement.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the airport from central Bamako?
About 15 km south of the city centre, in the Sénou neighbourhood.
Why is the airport called Modibo Keïta?
It was called Bamako-Sénou airport until December 2015, then renamed after Modibo Keïta, Mali's first president.
Who runs Bamako airport?
The company Aéroports du Mali (ADM).
Sources (checked on 18 October 2026)
- Wikipedia (French) — Aéroport international Modibo-Keïta.
- Official Journal of the Republic of Mali no. 22 of 2026, decrees no. 2026-0597/PT-RM and no. 2026-0600/PT-RM (French) (table of contents).
- French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Travel advice: Mali (French); UK FCDO, Foreign travel advice: Mali.