Tunisia is planning a major expansion of its main international gateway, Tunis-Carthage International Airport, as the North African country seeks to strengthen its tourism sector and modernize its air transport infrastructure. The Tunisian Ministry of Transport announced that the project, estimated to cost around $1 billion, will significantly increase the airport’s passenger capacity by building a new terminal covering approximately 80,000 square metres. According to the ministry, the new terminal will include additional check-in counters, expanded security screening lanes, and improved passenger facilities to handle the expected rise in air traffic.
Tunis-Carthage Airport, located in the capital Tunis, handled about 7.2 million passengers in 2024, reflecting a strong recovery in tourism after the severe downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism remains a key pillar of Tunisia’s economy, attracting millions of visitors each year to its Mediterranean beaches, historic cities and cultural heritage sites such as Carthage. Authorities had previously explored the option of constructing an entirely new airport to replace the aging facility, but the government has now opted to expand and modernize the existing infrastructure instead. Officials have not yet disclosed how the expansion project will be financed. The investment comes at a challenging time for Tunisia’s economy, which has been grappling with high public debt, rising inflation and slow economic growth. Nevertheless, the government hopes that improving transport infrastructure will help attract more tourists, boost foreign revenue and support long-term economic recovery.
