Airport terminology
DSS vs AIBD: Are They the Same Dakar Airport?
Travelers often see three different labels—DSS, AIBD and Blaise Diagne International Airport—and wonder whether they refer to different airports. For normal passenger travel, they refer to the same main international airport at Diass serving Dakar and much of Senegal.
What does AIBD mean?
AIBD is the common abbreviation for Aéroport International Blaise Diagne, the airport at Diass. The facility opened for service in December 2017 and replaced the former Léopold Sédar Senghor airport as the principal international gateway for Dakar-area passenger traffic.
What does DSS mean?
DSS is the aviation airport code travelers commonly see on airline tickets, boarding information and booking systems for Blaise Diagne International Airport. A transfer page may therefore say AIBD, DSS or AIBD/DSS to make the destination clear for both local and international users.
Is the airport actually in Dakar?
The airport is at Diass, outside central Dakar. That is why an airport transfer to Dakar still involves a road journey after landing. It also means travelers going to Saly, Mbour, Somone or Ngaparou can travel directly from the airport without first entering Dakar.
What should you enter when booking a transfer?
If your flight ticket shows DSS, select AIBD/DSS Airport in the transfer form. Add the flight number and your final destination. That gives the driver enough information to monitor the arrival and plan the correct pickup location.
Useful sources
Landing at DSS / AIBD?
Book the airport under either name—we use AIBD/DSS consistently so your pickup location is unambiguous.