Tunisia is a country which has promoted its assets well. It has developed facilities for tourism and is now one of the premier destinations in Africa for holidaying Europeans with year round sunshine, excellent hotels and beaches, fine golf courses and first class service.

"The terminal building will be covered with a light roof in a futuristic design in the form of giant wings." Tunisia may be reached by travelling to one of six international airports around the country. All of these airports are fairly small with limited facilities for the sophisticated air traveller. In 2004 the Tunisian government decided that a new airport should be built on a 6,500ha site at Enfidha, 15 minutes drive from Port El Kantaoui and 25 minutes drive from Hammamet. –The airport will be a state of the art international airport complex with first class shopping, restaurants, entertainment facilities and service for the airlines and passengers.

Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali is keen to get the project underway as he would like it near completion before he seeks a fifth term in office in the 2009 elections.

The airport will serve mainly tourist charter flights and low cost airlines from around europe. A consortium led by Rothschild is advising the Tunisian government on financing the new airport. The new airport will now help to ease the passenger and goods traffic which passes through the Tunis Carthage airport. It will be conveniently located in an area to serve the tourist regions of Yasmine Hammamet and Port Kantaoui (near Hergla), Nabeul and Sousse as well as the towns of Tunis.

ENFIDHA AIRPORT DESIGN AND PURPOSE

The principal architectural theme for this airport is to be modern. The airport is set to be a symbol of the country and must reflect the image of modern Tunisia. The design of the terminal was conceived in the form of square diamond, the point of which is directed towards the landing strips. The terminal building will be covered with a light roof in a futuristic design in the form of giant wings. The impression of the traveller is expected to be 'it is not the plane which takes off but the whole of the airport!' "The use of clever glazing in the building will allow light to permeate the whole interior of the airport."

The external façade will show a clear division between the lower level and that of the upper levels of the building. The use of clever glazing in the building will allow light to permeate the whole of the interior space. A large patio will be established in the centre of the building and different gardens will be established between the runway area and the departure lounges to give the passengers chance to relax. The interior design will be a subtle mixture of traditional and modern styles.

CONSTRUCTION

Construction work for the new €384m Enfidha Airport has begun already and terminal one will be completed by the end of 2009 and terminal 2 will be completed a year later.