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Airportist Scores and guides are editorial content. Always verify live rules, terminals, and operational alerts with official airport and airline sources.

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Cadjehoun Airport

Cotonou, BJ

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Bernardin Gantin Airport of Cotonou

Cotonou, Benin · Africa

Benin's main gateway (about 550,000 passengers a year): one compact terminal close to central Cotonou, with flights to Paris, Brussels, Istanbul, Addis Ababa and Casablanca, a dense West African network and three Priority Pass lounges, but limited food and strict visa and yellow fever checks.

Airportist Score

5.4/ 10

Rough

Ease of use6.5
Comfort & amenities5.0
Food & retail3.5
Ground access6.0
Reliability6.0
Lounges5.0

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

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Bernardin Gantin Airport of Cotonou

Cotonou, Benin · Africa

Benin's main gateway (about 550,000 passengers a year): one compact terminal close to central Cotonou, with flights to Paris, Brussels, Istanbul, Addis Ababa and Casablanca, a dense West African network and three Priority Pass lounges, but limited food and strict visa and yellow fever checks.

Airportist Score

5.4/ 10

Rough

Ease of use6.5
Comfort & amenities5.0
Food & retail3.5
Ground access6.0
Reliability6.0
Lounges5.0

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare COO with another airport

Typical security
15 min
editorial average, not live
Best way to city
About 20 min (estimate)
Official airport taxi (Taxi Aéroport)
Lounges
3
On time
72%
of departures
Terminals
One passenger terminal
Passengers / year
555,142 (2023, ANAC); about 550,000 (2025, Ecofin)

All 3 lounges at COO
COO security wait times

5 photos

COOGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Arrive two hours before international flights

2 h for international, 1 h 30 for domestic.

The airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before regional and international departures and 1 hour 30 minutes before the domestic Parakou flight. Most airlines offer online check-in 24 to 48 hours ahead; you still need the counter to drop bags.

Terminal

One compact terminal

Small single terminal; short walks.

All flights use a single terminal with 16 check-in counters and 5 gates, so walking distances are short. Free Wi-Fi covers the terminal. Have your visa paperwork and yellow fever certificate ready for arrival formalities.

Food

Don't rely on airside food

Limited, unverified food choice; plan ahead.

The airport lists food, duty-free and souvenir shops, but we could not verify which outlets are open airside or their hours. Eat in the city or in a lounge if your plans depend on it. Change money or use the ATMs in the public hall, not street changers.

Status

Priority Pass works here

Three Priority Pass lounges; airline access varies.

Priority Pass lists three lounges at Cotonou: Salon Plus Départ (airside after passport control), Salon Plus Arrivée (arrivals hall) and the AHS Business Class Lounge (first floor, after border control). The airport says its VIP lounges are open to eligible airline passengers, partner-programme members or paid entry. Check with your airline for status access.

Live conditions

Right now at COO

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Travellers to Cotonou and southern Benin
Priority Pass members (three lounges)
Alliance connections via Paris, Brussels, Istanbul, Addis Ababa or Casablanca

Watch out for

Visa (e-visa in advance) and yellow fever certificate needed on arrival
Limited, unverified airside food choice
Taxi fares must be agreed first; avoid general street taxis
Photography near the airport is illegal

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

6.5

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

5.0

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

3.5

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

6.0

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.0

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

5.0

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

555,142 (2023, ANAC); about 550,000 (2025, Ecofin)

Terminals

One passenger terminal

On-time departures

72%

Typical security

15 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for COO.

Updated Oct 25, 2026

Bernardin Gantin Airport of Cotonou (IATA COO, ICAO DBBB) is Benin's main airport. It sits in the Cadjèhoun district of Cotonou, about 5 km from the city centre, and is run by the Société des Aéroports du Bénin (SAB).
A government decree of 3 December 2025 renamed it from Cardinal Bernardin Gantin International Airport of Cadjèhoun to Aéroport Bernardin GANTIN de Cotonou. Older signs and booking sites still use the old name.
It handled 555,142 passengers in 2023, according to Benin's civil aviation agency, and Ecofin reports about 550,000 in 2025. Almost all traffic is international.
Long-haul and regional links include Air France (Paris-CDG, SkyTeam), Corsair (Paris-Orly), Brussels Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines (Star Alliance), Royal Air Maroc (oneworld), and ASKY, Air Côte d'Ivoire, Air Sénégal, Air Burkina, Camair-Co and others around West and Central Africa.
Amazone Airlines has flown Benin's only domestic route, Cotonou–Parakou, since March 2026.
One passenger terminal and a single 2,400 m runway (06/24). The airport says it has 16 check-in counters, 5 boarding gates and 13 aircraft stands.

19 official sources

https://www.aeroport-de-cotonou.bj/
https://www.aeroport-de-cotonou.bj/espace-corporate/chiffres-cles
https://backoffice.aeroport-de-cotonou.bj/storage/586/TARIFS-TAXI-AEROPORT.pdf
https://sgg.gouv.bj/doc/decret-2025-722/download
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadjehoun_Airport
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%A9roport_Bernardin-Gantin_de_Cotonou
https://www.lca.logcluster.org/benin-221-cardinal-bernardin-gantin-international-airport-cotonou
https://www.ecofinagency.com/news/2804-55058-benin-a-decade-of-infrastructure-driven-transformation
https://lanation.bj/actualites/transport-aerien-au-benin-le-trafic-aeroportuaire-a-cru-de-213-en-2023
https://beninwebtv.bj/benin-plus-de-555-000-passagers-au-depart-et-a-larrivee-de-laeroport-de-cotonou-en-2023/
https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/benin/cotonou-cadjehoun-intl
https://loungemap.app/airports/coo/priority-pass
https://airconnect.live/en/lounges/cotonou-airport
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/benin
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/benin/entry-requirements
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/benin/safety-and-security
https://evisa.bj/
https://benin360.com/transport-cotonou-benin/
https://www.icotonou.com/en/articles/ride-hailing-apps-cotonou/

Full guide

Explore the COO guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Map
Cadjehoun Airport and the Cotonou city center
City center
View Map
Getting There
2 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Official airport taxi (Taxi Aéroport)
View Getting There
Lounges
3 lounges with access rules, hours, and verdicts.
AHS Business Class LoungeSalon Plus ArrivéeSalon Plus Départ
View Lounges
Traveler Tips
Pick your alliance: Air France (SkyTeam) flies to Paris-CDG, Brussels Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian (Star Alliance) connect via Brussels, Istanbul and Addis Ababa, and Royal Air Maroc (oneworld) via Casablanca.
9 tips & hacks
View Traveler Tips
Amenities
5 rated amenities — food, Wi-Fi, quiet spots, family, and sleep.
Free terminal-wide Wi-FiPriority Pass loungesATMs and currency exchange
View Amenities
Reviews
Editorial and traveler reviews — what people actually complain about.
View Reviews

Cadjehoun Airport and the Cotonou city center

This airport COO
City center Cotonou

Terminal navigation guide

Terminal-change and gate-area notes pulled from the markdown guide.

From Terminals & Navigation

A single passenger terminal handles all flights, with check-in, passport control and the gates close together.
The airport says it has 16 check-in counters, 5 boarding gates and 13 aircraft stands. The runway is 2,400 m long.
ATMs are in the public hall, and the airport lists currency exchange, SIM-card desks, duty-free shops and assistance for passengers with reduced mobility.

Ground transport guide

City-transfer, rideshare, train, and parking guidance from the markdown guide.

From Ground Transport & Parking

Official airport taxis wait at the arrivals exit: white cars marked "Taxi Aéroport", with uniformed drivers. SAB publishes an official zone tariff (PDF, linked below); check it and agree the fare before you get in.
Ride-hailing: Gozem and Yango both operate in Cotonou and show the fare before you book. You need the app and a phone number that can receive an SMS code.
Motorbike taxis (zémidjans) are the cheapest option but are cash-only and unsuitable with luggage.
The centre is only about 5 km away, but allow extra time at rush hour.
Parking: the airport has three automated car parks open 24/7, with short-stay, long-stay and subscription options. Car rental desks are in the arrivals hall.

Ride to Cotonou

Pickup at COO. Where the app supports it, dropoff is set to Cotonou city center for a live price.

To city center

Cotonou

~1.8 km

Typical fare

See app

Live quotes open in the ride app

Fixed-price transfers

GetTransfer quotes Kiwitaxi quotes

Compare prepaid private transfers to Cotonou — useful overnight, with luggage, or when you want a locked-in fare before you land.

FastestCheapestBest for luggage

Official airport taxi (Taxi Aéroport)

White cars with uniformed drivers wait at the arrivals exit.

Time to city

About 20 min (estimate)

Cost

Official zone tariff (see SAB PDF)

Tip: Check the published zone tariff and agree the fare before you set off.

Gozem or Yango

Ride-hailing apps that show the fare before you confirm.

Time to city

About 20 min (estimate)

Cost

Fare shown in the app

Tip: Install the app and verify your phone number before you fly.

Check your lounge access at COO

Sign in, save your cards, airline status, and lounge programs once, and we'll check them against every lounge.

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Depends

AHS Business Class Lounge

Main terminalairside

First-floor business lounge after border control; Priority Pass accepted.

Access: Priority Pass

Amenities: Wi-Fi

Best for: Priority Pass members · Business travellers wanting a quieter seat

Full access guide

Depends

Salon Plus Arrivée

Main terminalarrivals

Arrivals lounge in the arrivals hall; Priority Pass accepted.

Access: Priority Pass

Amenities: Wi-Fi

Best for: Arriving Priority Pass members waiting for a pickup

Full access guide

Depends

Salon Plus Départ

Main terminalairside

Airside departures lounge after passport control; Priority Pass accepted.

Access: Priority Pass

Amenities: Wi-Fi

Best for: Priority Pass members waiting for a departure

Full access guide

Lounge & amenity notes

Lounge, food, and quiet-spot picks pulled from the markdown guide.

From Lounges, Food & Amenities

Salon Plus Départ: airside after passport control, past the duty-free shops. Priority Pass.
AHS Business Class Lounge: first floor after border control, before the security check. Priority Pass.
Salon Plus Arrivée: in the arrivals hall, for arriving passengers. Priority Pass.
The airport says its VIP lounges have Wi-Fi, workspaces and refreshments, with access through airlines, partner programmes or paid entry. We could not verify opening hours or prices.
Food: the airport lists places to eat and duty-free and souvenir shops, but we could not confirm which are open airside.

good

Free terminal-wide Wi-Fi

Fast WiFi

Free, unlimited Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, according to the airport.

good

Priority Pass lounges

Has Lounge

Three lounges listed by Priority Pass: Salon Plus Départ, Salon Plus Arrivée and the AHS Business Class Lounge.

good

ATMs and currency exchange

Shopping

ATMs in the public hall and a currency exchange desk.

basic

Duty-free and souvenir shops

Shopping

Duty-free and souvenir shops, according to the airport; opening hours not verified.

good

Official airport taxis

Easy Transport

White Taxi Aéroport cars with uniformed drivers at the arrivals exit, with an official zone tariff.

Editorial guide tricks

The markdown guide's highest-signal tactics before the data-backed tips below.

From Best Airport Tricks & Hacks

Pick your alliance: Air France (SkyTeam) flies to Paris-CDG, Brussels Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian (Star Alliance) connect via Brussels, Istanbul and Addis Ababa, and Royal Air Maroc (oneworld) via Casablanca.
For West Africa, ASKY (via Lomé) and Air Côte d'Ivoire (via Abidjan) are the main regional networks. Air Sénégal flies to Dakar with a stop in Abidjan.
Going north? Amazone Airlines' Cotonou–Parakou flight, launched in March 2026, replaces a long road trip. The UK government advises against all or all but essential travel to parts of northern Benin, so check its advice first.
Use the official airport taxis or a ride-hailing app instead of hailing a car in the street. The UK government advises against using general taxis.
Free, unlimited Wi-Fi covers the whole terminal.

01

SecurityTraveler Tips & Hacks

Have the e-visa and yellow fever card ready

Both are checked on arrival.

The UK government says British nationals should apply online at least 7 days ahead via evisa.bj and collect the visa at Cotonou airport. A yellow fever certificate is required.

Pro

Online application

Watch-out

Allow a week for approval

02

TransportTraveler Tips & Hacks

Use official taxis or an app

White Taxi Aéroport cars or Gozem/Yango.

The airport's official taxis wait at the arrivals exit and follow a published zone tariff. Gozem and Yango show the fare before you book. The UK government advises against using general taxis.

Pro

Short ride into the city

Watch-out

Agree the fare first; street taxis are riskier

03

LoungeTraveler Tips & Hacks

Priority Pass covers both directions

Departure, business-class and arrival lounges.

Priority Pass lists Salon Plus Départ airside, the AHS Business Class Lounge on the first floor and Salon Plus Arrivée in the arrivals hall. We could not verify hours.

Pro

Rare arrivals lounge

Watch-out

Hours and quality not verified

04

NavigationTraveler Tips & Hacks

Small terminal, short walks

One terminal with 5 gates.

Check-in, passport control and the gates are close together. Follow the screens for your check-in counters.

Pro

Quick to get around

Watch-out

Few places to spread out at peak times

Entry requirements

Benin (BJ)

Sign in and add a passport to see the entry requirement for Benin.

Passports are saved in profile settings. Check the official site before you travel.

Published alerts

Editorial profile notes — not a live alert feed. Live operations are on Overview and in the panel below.

Published alerts

Typical operations snapshot — editorial, not live news. File dated Oct 25, 2026.

Normal

The airport was renamed by a decree of December 2025; some airline and booking systems still show the old name, Cardinal Bernardin Gantin / Cadjèhoun.The UK government advises against all or all but essential travel to parts of northern Benin; Cotonou is not in those areas.Several regional routes run only a few times a week, so a cancellation can mean a long wait.On-time share, delay minutes, cancellations and security wait are HonestAirport estimates; no public punctuality data exists for COO.

Typical delay mix from the same editorial snapshot — not a live feed. Current operations are on Overview.

Typical departure delays20 min · 25%

Typical arrival delays22 min · 28%

Typical cancellations0 min · 2%

Live operations

Live operational signals from Flighty or FAA, plus checkpoint waits where airports publish them.

Traveler reviews

What travelers say

Write a review

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