Dubai port authority to run airport

The government of Djibouti has signed a "management contract" with the Dubai Ports International Authority (DPIA) to run Djibouti's international airport. A senior official in the Djibouti transport ministry told IRIN the agreement comes within the framework of the government's policy of privatising public institutions. The DPIA is expected to improve the airport's services and infrastructure, and help in the airport's financial recovery through a "normalisation of its fees", he said. The agreement comes at a time when the airport is experiencing some difficulties, caused largely by a lack of business following the withdrawal or reduction of flights by big airline companies. Air France reduced the number of its flights to Djibouti last October from three per week to just one a week. The DPIA also took over the management of Djibouti's seaport in June 2000 for a 20-year period.