List of Airports in Burundi
As of 2024, there are 3 airports throughout the country of Burundi according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Burundi are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in Burundi
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bujumbura International Airport | BJM | Bujumbura | Medium |
| 2 | Gitega Airport | GID | Gitega | Small |
| 3 | Kirundo Airport | KRE | Kirundo | Small |
Major Airports in Burundi
1. Bujumbura International Airport (BJM)
Airport Code: BJM
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Bujumbura, Burundi
Nearby Cities:
- Bujumbura (0 miles)
- Rumonge (31 miles)
- Gitega (58 miles)
- Ngozi (80 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Kenya Airways
- RwandAir
- Turkish Airlines
- Air Burundi
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 150,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Bujumbura International Airport, located in the capital city of Bujumbura (now known as Gitega), is the main international gateway to Burundi. Historically, the airport has been in operation since the 1950s and has undergone various expansions over the years. In its early days, it was a smaller regional airport, but with the country’s development, it became the central hub for international and domestic flights. Despite challenges such as the country’s political instability in the 1990s and early 2000s, Bujumbura Airport has been resilient in maintaining its operations.
The airport is strategically located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, making it a key transport link for both passengers and freight moving into and out of the country. Bujumbura serves as a hub for air travel to neighboring countries like Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya, and also connects to major African cities like Addis Ababa and Nairobi. The airport plays an essential role in Burundi’s economy, facilitating tourism, business, and humanitarian aid efforts.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Bujumbura International Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 2,600 meters (8,530 feet), suitable for medium-sized aircraft.
The airport is equipped with a single terminal building that handles both international and domestic flights. It features essential passenger amenities, including lounges, duty-free shopping, restaurants, and banking services. While the airport is not equipped to handle large wide-body aircraft, it can accommodate medium-sized planes, and its runway length allows for long-haul flights with smaller aircraft.
In terms of infrastructure, the airport has seen gradual improvements, but it still faces challenges related to capacity and modern facilities. The terminal is relatively small, and passenger traffic often leads to congestion during peak times. However, the airport’s strategic location and its role as Burundi’s primary aviation hub remain crucial.
2. Gitega Airport (GID)
Airport Code: GID
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Gitega, Burundi
Nearby Cities:
- Gitega (0 miles)
- Bujumbura (58 miles)
- Muyinga (70 miles)
- Kayanza (95 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (primarily domestic flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 5,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Gitega Airport is located in the central part of Burundi, near Gitega, which was the country’s capital before Bujumbura. Though a smaller airport compared to Bujumbura International, Gitega Airport serves the central region of Burundi and primarily handles domestic flights. Gitega is an important city in the country’s political and historical context, and the airport serves as a crucial link for transportation to and from the capital and other parts of the country.
The airport was originally built for military and local travel purposes, but it has seen some upgrades over the years to support regional air traffic. While it doesn’t serve international routes, Gitega Airport plays an important role in connecting the more remote areas of Burundi with the capital and surrounding regions.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Gitega Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,800 meters (5,906 feet), suitable for smaller aircraft.
The airport is relatively basic in its facilities, with a small terminal that provides essential services such as baggage handling and a waiting area. The airport primarily handles regional flights, and its runway can accommodate smaller regional aircraft but is not capable of handling large or wide-body planes. While Gitega is not as busy as Bujumbura International Airport, it plays an important role in the regional connectivity of the country.
There is room for growth and development, but currently, the airport is limited in terms of capacity and infrastructure. Ongoing improvements to the airport’s facilities and services would enhance its capability to support more flights and passengers in the future.
3. Muyinga Airport (MUY)
Airport Code: MUY
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Muyinga, Burundi
Nearby Cities:
- Muyinga (0 miles)
- Kayanza (50 miles)
- Ngozi (66 miles)
- Bujumbura (115 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (primarily domestic flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 3,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Muyinga Airport is located in the northeastern part of Burundi, in the town of Muyinga. The airport has a significant role in connecting the eastern parts of Burundi to the rest of the country, especially to the capital, Gitega, and Bujumbura. Muyinga itself is a key agricultural center, and the airport is primarily used for domestic air travel, providing transportation for both locals and businesses in the region.
The airport has had a relatively low profile compared to Bujumbura International and other larger airports in Burundi, with a focus on regional traffic. Although it has been in operation for many years, Muyinga Airport has faced challenges in terms of infrastructure and service quality. However, it still plays a key role in supporting the transportation needs of northeastern Burundi.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Muyinga Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,800 meters (5,906 feet), suitable for small to medium-sized aircraft.
Like Gitega Airport, Muyinga Airport has limited facilities. The terminal is small, and services are basic, catering mainly to local travelers. The runway can accommodate small aircraft, but it is not equipped to handle larger planes or wide-body jets. The airport’s infrastructure is basic, with limited amenities for passengers.
There have been discussions about expanding and upgrading the airport to meet growing regional demands, but currently, Muyinga Airport is more of a secondary facility, supporting internal travel within Burundi.
4. Rumonge Airport (RMG)
Airport Code: RMG
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Rumonge, Burundi
Nearby Cities:
- Rumonge (0 miles)
- Bujumbura (31 miles)
- Gitega (65 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (primarily domestic flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 2,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Rumonge Airport is located in the southwestern part of Burundi, near the town of Rumonge, which lies on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The airport primarily serves as a regional transportation link for the southwestern part of the country, providing connections to Bujumbura and Gitega. Rumonge itself is a small town known for its agricultural activities, and the airport supports local business, tourism, and trade in the region.
Although smaller in size, Rumonge Airport has a strategic location, especially given the proximity to Lake Tanganyika, and plays a part in facilitating both passenger and cargo transport. The airport has been in operation for several decades, but infrastructure development has been limited due to the size and traffic demand in the region.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Rumonge Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), suitable for small regional aircraft.
Rumonge Airport is equipped with basic facilities, including a small terminal building, a limited waiting area, and essential services. The runway length and infrastructure are suitable for smaller aircraft, but it cannot handle larger, wide-body planes. Given the lower passenger traffic and smaller scale of operations, Rumonge remains a secondary airport serving domestic and regional flights.
Future improvements to the airport could help accommodate a growing population and potential economic development in the region, but for now, it remains an essential yet basic regional airport.
5. Cibitoke Airport (CIB)
Airport Code: CIB
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Cibitoke, Burundi
Nearby Cities:
- Cibitoke (0 miles)
- Bujumbura (108 miles)
- Gitega (140 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- None (primarily domestic flights)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 1,500 passengers
Airport Location and History
Cibitoke Airport is located in the northwestern region of Burundi, in the town of Cibitoke. As one of the smaller regional airports, Cibitoke serves a limited area with fewer services compared to major hubs like Bujumbura. The airport is mainly used for domestic flights within Burundi, providing crucial access to the western and northern parts of the country. It is an important infrastructure asset for this sparsely populated and agriculturally significant area.
The airport’s establishment was focused on improving regional connectivity and providing access to this less-developed part of Burundi. Cibitoke is a small town, and the airport primarily serves the surrounding rural communities.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Cibitoke Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), suitable for small regional aircraft.
The facilities at Cibitoke Airport are rudimentary, with basic passenger services and a small terminal. The airport is equipped to handle small aircraft, but it is not capable of accommodating larger planes or international flights. Given its limited passenger traffic, the infrastructure and amenities are basic, and further development is required to improve capacity and services.
Although a secondary airport, Cibitoke is important for connecting remote regions of Burundi to the central hubs. Further development could enhance its role in supporting regional air travel.
