Logo
Abdullahi Yusuf International Airport AerialAirport Terminal ConstructionAirport InfrastructureTerminal ExteriorApron & RunwayAirport Facilities
Home / Projects / Abdullahi Yusuf Airport
Active Project IATA: GLK  |  ICAO: HCMR

Abdullahi Yusuf
International Airport

"The Gateway of Somalia Pride, Horizon of Global Connection." A transformative BOT project to modernize Galkayo's airport into a world-class, ICAO-compliant regional aviation hub.

$30M
Investment
3.5km
Runway Length
$30M
Capital Expenditure
800%+
Projected ROI
500–1,000
Direct Jobs Created
$50–100M
Annual Trade Stimulated

// Project Overview

Transforming a Regional Gateway into a World-Class Hub

Abdullahi Yusuf International Airport, formerly Galkayo Airport (IATA: GLK, ICAO: HCMR), serves as the primary aviation gateway for central Somalia and the Horn of Africa. Despite being critical for domestic flights, humanitarian aid operations, and limited international traffic, its current infrastructure is inadequate for projected demand.

Galkayo Development Group PLC has entered into a strategic Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) agreement with the Government of Puntland to fully redevelop the airport. With an investment of USD 17–30 million, GDG will finance, manage, and operate a modernized facility to international standards before transferring ownership back to the Puntland Government at the end of the concession period.

Abdullahi Yusuf International Airport
Airport Infrastructure
Apron & Runway
Procurement & Tender Info

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Access the official bidding requirements and technical specifications for the Lead Consultancy of Airport Master Planning, Technical Investigations, Detailed Engineering Design, and Tender Documentation.

View ToR Specification

// Technical Scope

Airside Infrastructure Specifications

Runway

  • Length: 3.5 km
  • Width: 60 m total
  • Extended from 1,800 m
  • Night operations capable
  • Wide-body aircraft ready

Passenger Terminal

  • 25,000 sqm new terminal
  • 500 passengers/hour capacity
  • IATA Level of Service
  • Modular & expandable design
  • Solar PV roof integration

Cargo Terminal

  • 10,000 sqm cargo terminal
  • Cold storage facilities
  • Perishables handling
  • Bonded storage zones
  • Category 7/8 fire safety

Navigation & Safety

  • PBN Instrument approach
  • SSR/ADS-B tracking
  • ATC voice & data tower
  • Airfield Ground Lighting
  • Meteorological systems
150×200m
Apron Area

Multiple narrow-body aircraft. Refuelling points & ground power.

270m min
Taxiway Length

32 m width with 4.5 m shoulders on each side connecting runway to terminal complex.

60m
Total Runway Width

45m paved surface + 7.5m shoulders on each side, scalable for future growth.

// Project Model

Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT)

The Government of Puntland has entered into a strategic agreement with GDG to redevelop Galkayo Airport under a BOT concession framework. GDG finances and manages the redevelopment while the government safeguards long-term public interest. Once the operational period concludes, ownership reverts to the Puntland Government fully upgraded to international standards.

Investment
USD 17–30 Million
Model
BOT Framework
Payback
8–9 Years
01

GDG Finances & Builds

GDG mobilises capital and manages the full development without overburdening public finances.

02

GDG Operates

GDG runs the modernised airport operations, generating revenue from aeronautical and non-aeronautical streams.

03

Government Oversight

Puntland Government maintains regulatory oversight and safeguards long-term public interest throughout the concession.

04

Transfer to Government

At the end of the concession, a fully upgraded, internationally-compliant airport is transferred back as a public asset.

// Financial Overview

A Compelling Investment Case

Strong financial viability with a short payback window, high IRR, and exceptional long-term ROI making this project attractive to both institutional and private investors.

Year 1
$3.4M
100,000 pax + 2,000 tons cargo
Year 10
~$8.4M
10% annual passenger growth
Year 20
~$21.2M
Compounding pax & cargo growth
Year 30
~$53.5M
End of concession projection
Payback Period
8–9 Years
IRR
24–26%
NPV (10% DR)
$85–95M
Total ROI
>800%

// Expansion Scope

What GDG Is Building

Runway extension from 1,800 m to 3,500 m to accommodate wide-body aircraft
New 25,000 sqm modern passenger terminal 500 passengers/hour capacity
Cargo terminal expansion to 10,000 sqm with cold storage for perishables
New Air Traffic Control Tower with voice and data communications
Expanded fuel farm and aircraft support infrastructure
ICAO-standard security perimeter and gatehouse systems
Airfield Ground Lighting enabling 24/7 operations on extended runway
World state-of-art airport security infrastructure
Airport Construction
Terminal Works
Airport Facilities

// Roadmap

Project Implementation Plan

A structured five-phase approach ensuring systematic delivery while managing risks and optimizing value across the project lifecycle.

Phase 1

Feasibility Studies

Phase 2

Concession Settlement

Phase 3

Construction

Phase 4

Refurbishment & Commissioning

Phase 5

Commercial Operations

Feasibility Studies

  • Soil & hydrological surveys
  • Environmental & social impact assessment
  • Final design & specifications

Concession Settlement

  • Concession agreement signing
  • Financial settlement completion
  • Contractor mobilization

Construction

  • Runway pavement & drainage
  • Apron & taxiway construction
  • Navigational systems installation

Refurbishment & Commissioning

  • Terminal & CIQ facility renovations
  • System commissioning & testing
  • ORAT & staff training completion

Commercial Operations

  • Airport operations under SPV management
  • Regular safety & operational reviews

// Strategic Importance

Why This Airport Is Critical

This region is undergoing historic transformation. AYA Airport sits at the center of a multimodal logistics revolution.

Garacad Deep-Water Port

$200M deep-water facility completed 2026, handling up to 3.5M tons annually focused on livestock, fish, and mineral exports. AYA Airport connects the port to international markets.

G3 Highway Corridor

310 km corridor links Garacad–Galkayo–Galdogob (Ethiopian border), forming a triangular logistics network. AYA is the air hub of this network.

Hobyo Port Integration

Hobyo–Galkayo highway linking coastal trade to inland logistics. Fresh fish exports could boost Somalia's $100M seafood sector through air freight via AYA.

Oil & Gas Sector Support

AY Airport positions itself as a strategic service hub for Somalia's emerging oil and gas sector. Supports airborne logistics for exploration across inland and offshore blocks.

Air Freight & Exports

Cargo terminal with cold chain facilities enables fresh produce, seafood, and pharmaceutical exports integrating Galkayo into East Africa's economic corridor.

Regional Connectivity

Enhances domestic and international connectivity, supporting diaspora travel, humanitarian logistics, and expanding Somalia's aviation sector to East Africa and beyond.

// Official Signings

GDG–Puntland Partnership Milestones

MOU Signing Ceremony
2024 Milestone

MOU Signing Ceremony

A landmark Memorandum of Understanding signed between GDG and the Puntland Government, formalizing the BOT concession for Abdullahi Yusuf International Airport.

Nairobi Strategic Conference
2024 Milestone

Nairobi Strategic Conference

GDG executive team convened with international advisors and regional stakeholders in Nairobi to finalize the airport development roadmap and attract international investment partners.

Vice President Meeting
2024 Milestone

Vice President Meeting

High-level delegation meeting with the Puntland Vice President to discuss project progress, government support frameworks, and the social impact of the airport redevelopment initiative.

Partner with us and invest where Business takes flight.

Join GDG and the Government of Puntland in building a world-class aviation hub that unlocks central Somalia's full economic potential.

Contact GDG About GDG