The Tunisian Transport Ministry has announced plans to expand Tunis-Carthage International Airport, pledging investment of around $1 billion to boost its passenger throughput.
The project will raise the airport’s annual capacity from 5 million passengers to 18.5 million by 2031, easing congestion and improving Tunisia’s connectivity with international destinations.
According to the ministry, the project has already been included in the 2026 investment budget of the Office of Civil Aviation and Airports, which oversees the country’s airport infrastructure.
Authorities had previously explored building a new airport but ultimately decided to expand the existing facility instead. The airport, located about 6 mi. northeast of the capital, Tunis, has long been considered outdated and in need of modernization.
Upgrading aviation infrastructure is also viewed by the government as key to strengthening the country’s tourism sector.
Although Egypt and Morocco remain North Africa’s leading tourism destinations, Tunisia has recently recorded a surge in visitors.
The country welcomed more than 11 million international tourists in 2025, representing a 10% increase compared with 2024.
North Africa remains Africa’s largest aviation market, with 71.1 million departure seats scheduled—a 10.7% year-on-year increase. Tunis-Carthage International Airport currently ranks as the 10th busiest airport in Africa.
Tunisia’s national carrier, Tunisair, operates its main hub at Tunis-Carthage. The airline’s fleet is largely composed of Airbus aircraft, including Airbus A320-family narrowbodies and twin-aisle A330-200s.
Earlier this month, to help with capacity, the airline launched an international tender to dry-lease two A320 aircraft for six years.
The airline is also considering leasing four medium-capacity aircraft and two high-capacity aircraft between 2027 and 2030.
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