The images and videos broadcast on social networks bear witness to a situation that has become unbearable and are considerably damaging the reputation of a country with a tourist vocation. Endless waiting time, long queues of travelers and lack of organization, this is the general observation made by many travelers passing through the main airport of the country. A sad image that has invaded the Web for several days.
A few days before the tourist season, Tunis-Carthage airport is at the heart of criticism. While the country is preparing to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors this summer season between Tunisians residing abroad and tourists, this first showcase of Tunisia is in a lamentable state, as travelers unfortunately confirm. Endless waiting, bad services, cleanliness and others, for some leaving or returning to Tunisia can at any time switch to a bad experience. In this situation which continues to cause disarray for Tunisians, but also for foreign visitors, the airline Tunisair and its services have something to do with it.
In recent days, while the country intends to launch a tourist season that looks rather promising, voices criticizing the services at Tunis-Carthage airport have become numerous. The images and videos broadcast on social networks testify to a situation that has become unbearable and considerably damage the image of a country with a tourist vocation. Endless waiting times, long queues of travelers and a great lack of organization, this is the general observation made by many travelers passing through the country’s main airport. A sad image that has invaded the Web for several days.
By the way, this international airport was always at the heart of the debate, especially in view of the services it provides. Just for last Thursday, passengers from various countries complained that waiting times had become too long to enter or leave Tunisia.
« Police and customs control for three to four hours, it’s inadmissible, some must have missed their flights, this airport is a disaster “, denounces a traveler, suggesting that the Tunis-Carthage airport is one of the worst in the world. ” I have visited several cities even in Africa and Asia, but I have never seen such travel conditions, it’s a shame “, he testifies.
By the way, the situation of this airport also disturbs air transport professionals. For several weeks, Chorki Zarrad, the deputy general manager of Nouvelair, has been pointing the finger at poor management of this airport which risks, according to him, screwing up all the preparations for the launch of this new tourist season. ” The reception conditions for visitors and travelers risk making us lose the whole season “, he warned, calling on the authorities to review the entire management system of Tunisian airports.
Saturated!
At the origin of this state, the saturation of the airport of Tunis-Carthage that the airport authorities prefer to exploit almost exclusively, ignoring the other airports like Sfax, Tozeur, even the airports of Enfidha and Monastir. Indeed, while the demand on the destination increases considerably, especially during the summer, the Tunis-Carthage airport, due to its reception capacity, its services, its reduced staff is unable to respond to this strong request. In a statement given to The Press, the former Minister of Tourism, René Trabelsi, insists on the issue of air transport to develop tourism in Tunisia. ” Everyone knows that we have a big air transport problem. Tunisair makes its half capacity with the means at its disposal. Opening the destination to low-cost will be very beneficial for Tunisia and it will bring another kind of clientele. It is necessary as soon as possible to apply the Open-Sky in Tunisia “, he insisted.
Does Tunis need a new airport or to expand Tunis-Carthage? The question is still under study, while the authorities have not decided. In any case, the project to build a new airport in the city of Utique in the governorate of Bizerte, replacing the international airport of Tunis Carthage, is still on the agenda. At the same time, and insofar as Tunis-Carthage is reaching its limits in terms of reception capacity, estimated at 5 million travelers annually, work to extend this airport is also planned. Thus, the extension works of this airport might ensure a capacity of two million additional passengers, pending the outcome of the current study on the construction of the new airport.
Put Tunisair back afloat
In this situation, Tunisair, the airline operator of this airport, has something to do with it. If its financial balances are not at their best, its services are not as high as the expectations of travelers. In fact, the report on “Public enterprises” published by the Ministry of Finance paints a black picture for the activity of the national company Tunisair. Tunisair recorded a net loss of 336.7 million dinars in 2020, once morest 18.9 million dinars in 2019, an increase of 1681.5%. This loss results from the decrease in the operating result of the company by 281.6 million dinars compared to 2019 and the increase in other ordinary losses by 46 MD (69.6%).
However, the company, with the means on board, is continuing its restructuring plan relating in particular to the control of the wage bill and the acquisition of new machines. Moreover, following having received, on December 23, 2021, its first aircraft of the Airbus A320Neo type, the Tunisair company received a second, in the evening last February.
Baptized “Sbeitla”, this A320neo aircraft reinforces the Tunisair fleet while waiting for the three aircraft of the same type which will be received during this year and next year. Tunisair had announced that it had concluded a “sale and leaseback” contract to acquire five aircraft with a view to strengthening and modernizing its fleet. At a cost of more than 750 million dinars, the “Sbeitla” aircraft will ensure longer distance flights than the A320 type aircraft currently used by the company.