Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport: Flights, Customs, and Transport (2026)

Cardinal Bernardin Gantin International Airport in Cotonou Cadjèhoun (IATA code: COO) is Benin's main air gateway. Sitting right in the heart of the city — inside the residential neighborhood of Cadjèhoun — this modern airport handles daily flights from major international carriers (Air France, Brussels Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Ethiopian Airlines, Corsair, Asky) connecting Cotonou to capitals across Africa, Europe, and beyond.

At a glance: Cotonou Cadjèhoun International Airport (COO — 2026)

• Entry requirements: passport (6 months' validity), printed e-Visa (for non-ECOWAS nationals), and a yellow fever vaccination card (mandatory).
• Getting into town: official taxis (flat rate of 3,000 to 5,000 FCFA) or Gozem/Yango ride-hailing via free airport Wi-Fi.
• Arrival services: SIM card counters (MTN / Moov Africa), ATMs, and currency exchange in the terminal.
• International departures: arrive 3 hours before your flight (VIP lounge available in the departures area).

For frequent travelers, new expats, or diaspora members coming home, knowing how the airport works — immigration formalities, customs, and transport options on arrival — is the key to a smooth trip. Here's our complete passenger guide.

1. Arriving in Cotonou: immigration and baggage

As soon as you step off the plane, you'll enter the air-conditioned arrivals terminal to handle entry formalities.

Immigration control (visa and documents)

To cross the Beninese border, you'll need to present:

• Your passport, valid for at least 6 months.
• Your printed Beninese e-Visa (easily obtained online through the official immigration portal before you travel). ECOWAS nationals are exempt from the visa requirement.
• Your international yellow vaccination card, proving you've had the mandatory yellow fever vaccine. Strict health checks are carried out on arrival.

Baggage claim and customs

After clearing the immigration booths, you'll reach the baggage claim hall, equipped with modern conveyor belts. Once you've collected your bags, you'll go through customs control. Airport customs in Cotonou run security-scanner checks on all checked luggage. Standard duty-free allowances apply to personal effects (tobacco, perfume, gifts of limited value).

2. Access, parking, and transport on arrival

The airport enjoys a prime location right in the center of Cotonou, meaning you can reach most major hotels and residential neighborhoods in 10 to 15 minutes.

Transport options once you exit the terminal

• Official airport taxis: Easy to spot by their uniform color, they line up outside the arrivals terminal exit. Fares to Cotonou's neighborhoods (Haie Vive, Ganhi, Fidjrossè) are flat-rate, generally running 3,000 to 5,000 FCFA (roughly $5-$8) per trip.
• Ride-hailing apps (Gozem / Yango): You can book an air-conditioned taxi or ride-share from the app using the airport's free Wi-Fi, and have the driver meet you at the public parking lot.

Airport parking

The airport has a large, secure, paid-by-the-hour public parking lot directly across from the departures and arrivals terminal. A free drop-off zone lets you unload luggage right in front of the check-in hall.

3. Checking in and boarding for departure

Arrive on time

For an international flight departing Cotonou, get to the check-in counter at least 3 hours before takeoff. Rush-hour traffic on the airport access road (especially in the late afternoon) can slow your arrival from outlying neighborhoods like Calavi or Akpakpa. Airlines generally close check-in 45 minutes before departure, and boarding closes 20 minutes before.

Baggage allowance and overweight fees

Baggage allowances vary by airline and fare class: budget generally 23 kg checked for economy class on Air France or Brussels Airlines, sometimes 20 kg on Asky or Ethiopian Airlines' base fares. Overweight bags are charged per kilo at the counter, often at a steep rate (several thousand FCFA per extra kilo) — weighing your bags at home before you leave avoids nasty surprises.

Security and the boarding area

After check-in, a first security screening precedes the boarding lounge, which has a handful of duty-free shops and a limited food area. Get your currency exchange or last-minute purchases done before this point — the retail offering in the boarding area stays modest compared to major regional hubs.

4. Getting to the airport from Cotonou's neighborhoods

The airport's proximity to downtown is a real advantage, but travel times vary sharply depending on the hour and your starting point:

• From Haie Vive or Cadjèhoun: 5 to 10 minutes outside rush hour.
• From Ganhi or the administrative center: 10 to 15 minutes.
• From Akpakpa or Godomey: 20 to 35 minutes depending on traffic, longer during rush hour (7-9am and 5-7pm).
• From Calavi: easily 40 to 60 minutes if the main road is jammed.

For an early-morning or late-night flight, it's worth building in a wide margin — Cotonou traffic can be unpredictable even outside classic rush hours, especially on market days or during public events.

5. Direct flights and key connections from Cotonou

Cotonou functions as a secondary regional hub for West Africa. Air France runs a direct route to Paris-Charles de Gaulle several times a week, popular with the Franco-Beninese diaspora. Brussels Airlines connects Cotonou to Brussels, with convenient connections onward across Europe. Royal Air Maroc serves Casablanca, offering connections to North America often at competitive fares. Ethiopian Airlines and Asky Airlines cover a broad intra-African network via their respective hubs in Addis Ababa and Lomé — useful for reaching East Africa or other West African capitals without routing through Europe.

For short regional flights (Lomé, Accra, Abidjan, Lagos), fares and frequencies vary noticeably by season: the year-end period (November through January) sees strong demand from the diaspora, with prices climbing sharply from October onward if you book late.

FAQ: Practical information for Cotonou Airport (COO)

Does Cotonou Airport have a VIP lounge?

Yes. The departures terminal has a comfortable VIP lounge (accessible to business-class passengers on partner airlines, or by paying an individual access fee), offering high-speed Wi-Fi, refreshments, snacks, and a quiet workspace before boarding.

What services are available in the terminal?

In the departures and arrivals halls, you'll find several ATMs accepting Visa and Mastercard, currency exchange counters, mobile operator counters (MTN and Moov Africa) where you can buy a local SIM card right on arrival, and souvenir shops in the secure zone.

How early should you arrive at Cotonou Airport before a flight?

For an international flight, 3 hours before takeoff is the recommended margin, factoring in travel time from your neighborhood and check-in counter congestion, which is especially heavy in the late afternoon and on weekends.

Can you exchange money at Cotonou Airport?

Yes, currency exchange counters are available in both the arrivals and departures areas, but the rate is generally less favorable than at banks downtown. For a large amount, it's better to exchange a small sum at the airport for initial expenses, then handle the rest in town.