Ain Arnat Airport (IATA: QSF, ICAO: DAAS), also known as Sétif International Airport, is an airport serving Sétif, Algeria. It was opened in 1945.

Ain Arnat Airport

Sétif International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorEGSA-Constantine
ServesSétif, Algeria
Elevation AMSL3,330 ft / 1,015 m
Coordinates36°10′40″N 05°19′45″E / 36.17778°N 5.32917°E / 36.17778; 5.32917
Map
QSF is located in Algeria
QSF
QSF
Location of airport in Algeria
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
09/27 2,895 9,498 Asphalt
Statistics (2020[1])
Passenger volume25,964
Sources: SkyVector[2]

Introduction

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Setif airport is an international civilian-military airport serving the city of Setif in the region of the Highlands in southern Kabylia, and its region (wilayas of Setif and Bordj-Bou-Arreridj). The airport is managed by the EGSA Constantine.

This airport is also a military airport, hosting the 9th training helicopter regiment (9th RHE) of the Algerian Air Force, as well as an infantry training center and the 4th commando parachute regiment (4th RPC) of the Algerian army.

History

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Before 1939

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The airfield opened in 1919 when the territory was part of French Algeria. The 36th African Aviation Regiment was composed of three African Aviation Groups (GAA); the 3rd GAA was based at Sétif airfield, with the 544 and 549 squadrons.[3]

Before 1962

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The base became Air Base 144 Sétif-Aïn Arnat. On October 1, 1947, the 3rd Artillery Aviation Group (GAOA 3) installed its aircraft.[4] On April 29, 1955, the Helicopter Group n°2 (GH 2) stationed its aircraft. On August 2, 1959, the helicopter base n°101 was created.[5] The base was dissolved in 1962.

Since 1962

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After Algeria's independence, the airport was named "8 May 1945" in reference to the killings of Setif, Guelma and Kherrata that took place on that date.

The airport of Setif was a military airport from independence until 1993, when work began on the construction of the terminal building, and the airport was given a national vocation.[6]

Between 2005 and 2007 the terminal was expanded from 2,900 m2 to 6,590 m2, allowing the terminal to increase its capacity to 250,000 passengers/year.[6]

The runway and parking lot were rebuilt in 2016, and a taxiway was also built at the same time, which resulted in the airport being closed for 10 months.[7]

Another extension and modernization of the terminal building was carried out between 2019 and 2021, doubling the airport's capacity from 250,000 passengers per year to more than 450,000 passengers per year.[8]

Facilities

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Runways

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The airport has an asphalt concrete runway with a length of 3,000 m

Terminal

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The airport has been renovated and modernized in general with the replacement of baggage carousels as well as the installation of duty free and 8 new stores as well as 4 airline offices and a bank branch.[8][9]

The terminal also has 10 check-in counters, 8 PAF filters at the level of departures, and at international arrivals, the airport has 11 boxes, one of which is dedicated to disabled persons.[8][9]

The terminal building has increased from a capacity of 250,000 passengers/year to 450,000 passengers/year and has an area of approximately 1,500 m2 to 6,000 m2. The terminal is now divided into two parts, domestic on one side and international on the other.[8][9]

There is also a pavilion of honor next to the terminal, allowing the reception of political leaders from all over the country during their airport trips.

Airlines and destinations

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AirlinesDestinations
Air Algérie Algiers, Lyon, Paris–Orly
Tassili Airlines Algiers,[10] Oran
Transavia Paris–Orly[11]
VoloteaLyon, Marseille[12]

Statistics

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Traffic evolution from 2006 to 2020[13]
Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
National 44 495 55 526 59 881 58 498 31 061 23 171 15 656 17 761 18 496 22 795 8 242 19 416 19 466 14 249 2 300
International 46 273 124 701 143 910 159 558 166 730 180 685 193 299 205 066 200 322 213 717 78 811 228 809 204 430 186 329 23 664
Total 90 768 180 227 203 791 218 056 197 791 203 856 208 955 222 827 218 818 236 512 87 053 248 225 223 896 200 578 25 964

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Statistiques des Passagers de 2011 à 2020" (PDF; 229 KB). egsa-constantine.dz (in French). EGSA Constantine. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  2. ^ SkyVector - Setif Airport
  3. ^ "25-Aviation-Militaire-3". chezpeps.free.fr. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
  4. ^ "Aérodromes et bases 1945-1962" (PDF).
  5. ^ "LA BASE ALAT N° 101". ALAT.FR (in French). Retrieved 2021-08-27.
  6. ^ a b "Aéroport de Sétif - 08 Mai 1945". www.egsa-constantine.dz. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
  7. ^ CCTA. "Sétif-Infos : Fermeture de l'aéroport de Sétif à partir du 17 mars 2016 pour 10 mois". Collectif CCTA (in French). Retrieved 2021-08-27.
  8. ^ a b c d "Sétif : L'aérogare fait peau neuve | El Watan". www.elwatan.com. Archived from the original on 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
  9. ^ a b c N, Boutebna. "Projet d'extension et de reconfiguration de l'aérogare de Sétif". Setif Info (in French). Retrieved 2021-08-27.
  10. ^ Tassili Setif service
  11. ^ Liu, Jim. "Air France / Transavia France S20 Algeria network expansion". Routesonline. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  12. ^ "VOLOTEA - Vuelos baratos, ofertas y billetes de avión a Europa". 12 February 2022.
  13. ^ "Statistiques du Trafic". www.egsa-constantine.dz. Retrieved 2021-08-27.
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