โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
International โ Domestic
90
minutes
International โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Ouagadougou Airport (OUA) serves as Burkina Faso's primary international gateway, officially known as Thomas Sankara International Airport in honor of the country's former president. The airport operates from a single, functional terminal building that handles both domestic and international passenger traffic. The terminal design is straightforward and efficient, featuring clearly defined areas for check-in, security screening, immigration processing, and departure gates. While compact compared to major international hubs, the layout ensures manageable walking distances of typically 5-15 minutes between different areas of the terminal.
Security and immigration procedures at OUA are thorough and conducted manually, reflecting careful border controls. All passengers undergo comprehensive security screening with both carry-on and checked baggage inspection. International arrivals and departures require passport control and customs processing, which can take additional time during peak periods, particularly when multiple international flights arrive simultaneously. Travelers are advised to arrive early for international departures to allow adequate time for check-in, security, and immigration procedures.
Amenities within the terminal are basic but functional for a regional airport. A small departure lounge provides seating and basic services, and there are limited dining options including a cafe that serves light refreshments, snacks, and beverages. Local handicrafts and souvenirs are available for purchase, along with basic travel necessities. Currency exchange services are available, though it's advisable to have West African CFA francs on hand. Ground transportation to downtown Ouagadougou is primarily by taxi, with the journey typically taking 20-30 minutes depending on traffic conditions. The airport serves as an important connection point for travel within West Africa and to international destinations via regional carriers.
๐ Connection Tips
Thomas Sankara International (OUA) is located just 3km from the Ouagadougou city center. The terminal is compact, but security and immigration procedures can be slow and manual Ouagadougou Airport is Burkina Faso's main international gateway, so the key connection question is whether you are staying in the capital or heading onward into the country.
Taxis are readily available outside the terminal; negotiate the fare before entering (typically 3,000-5,000 XOF) Arriving at least 3 hours before international departures is highly recommended. Taxis, hotels, and diplomatic pickups are the normal next step, because the airport sits at the center of the city's travel network.
Public bus Line 1 stops near the airport entrance for a budget link to the city. VIP meet-and-greet and private chauffeur services can also be pre-arranged for a more seamless experience The airport works best when the city transfer is already chosen. The airport works best when the city transfer is already chosen and the ride into Ouagadougou is waiting. A taxi, hotel, or diplomatic pickup should already be waiting, because Ouagadougou is a capital city airport where the ground leg is usually the part that decides whether the arrival feels quick or slow for the traveler there.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Arly Airport (ARL) is a remote and specialized aviation facility located within the Arly National Park in the Tapoa Province of southeastern Burkina Faso. Situated at the center of the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complexโa massive transboundary Natural UNESCO World Heritage siteโthe airfield serves as a vital aerial gateway to one of West Africa's most important and biodiverse ecosystems. Its presence is essential for the management and accessibility of this isolated frontier region.
The airport plays a critical role in regional conservation efforts, serving as a primary staging point for park rangers, researchers, and international conservationists. Arly National Park is a key sanctuary for the largest remaining population of the critically endangered West African lion and supports a significant portion of the region's elephant herds. The airfield facilitates the rapid movement of anti-poaching units and the delivery of essential supplies to remote park outposts, supporting the complex logistical needs of the WAP ecosystem.
Infrastructure at the airfield is minimalist and rugged, featuring a single unpaved runway (4/22) constructed from laterite and packed earth. As a remote bush strip, it is designed to accommodate light aircraft and specialized Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) vessels. There is no formal passenger terminal building, control tower, or permanent staff on-site. Pilots operating at Arly must strictly follow visual flight rules (VFR) and frequently coordinate with ground teams to ensure the runway is clear of large wildlife before attempting a landing.
The surrounding environment is a dynamic landscape of wooded savannah, shrublands, and gallery forests characteristic of the Volta River basin. Travelers arriving at Arly must be entirely self-sufficient, as the site provides no amenities such as running water, electricity, or permanent shelter. Access to the airfield is strictly controlled and typically arranged through specialized conservation agencies or high-end safari operators, reflecting both the park's protected status and the unique security considerations inherent to the broader Sahel region.
๐ Connection Tips
Arly Airport is a highly specialized access point for the W-Arly-Pendjari landscape, so the connection is really an expedition transfer rather than a normal airport-to-city journey. The field is unpaved, lightly used, and tightly linked to conservation, safari, and security planning, which means that anyone arriving here should already have a clear movement plan and proper clearance for the area.
The ground leg from the runway is normally a 4WD transfer with park or lodge staff, and there are no public taxis or shuttle ranks waiting to improvise the next step. Because the area carries serious security risk, the most important part of the connection is keeping the charter operator, lodge, and local authorities aligned before the flight even departs.
For practical travel, the airport should be treated as a controlled point of entry into a very remote region rather than as a place to build flexibility. Cash, extra time, and a willingness to accept weather or security delays are essential, and it is the kind of airport where the flight itself is only one link in a much larger field-to-lodge-to-park chain. That is why the safest connection plan is the one that is already agreed with the lodge before takeoff.
โ Back to Ouagadougou Airport