Cheap flights to Banjul airport

Discover Banjul

The smallest country on the African continent, The Gambia has the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the larger nation of Senegal on the other, with the interior of the nation following the path of the Gambia River. Most of the economy is based on tourism, and the seaside location and charm of the tropical wilderness are a big international draw. There is only one airport in the whole country, Banjul International Airport (BJL), also known as Yundum International. The airport dates back to the Second World War when it functioned as a base for military aircraft. Since the late 1960s it has been the country’s single civilian passenger and commercial airport, and for a portion of the late 20th century BJL was one of NASA’s emergency shuttle landing sites.

Best time to book a flight to Banjul Airport

Half of the airlines that make their home in BJL operate on a seasonal basis, so if you want more of a choice when you’re shopping, follow the calendar. The busy season for tourists is in winter, starting in October and ending in May. Most of the tourists here are from European destinations, as the continent is only six hours away by plane and on one of the same time zones. Flights in the summer are much more difficult to find, but you can try to connect through certain busy transportation hubs in cities like Paris, Brussels, or Barcelona.

Airlines that fly to Banjul Airport

There are twelve airlines that operate in Banjul International, and half of them are only serving the route during the winter or on a charter basis. There are no Canadian airlines that can take you directly to The Gambia, and the sheer distance across the globe makes a flight with no stops impossible, Making the trip with one stop is almost as difficult. With some exceptions, such as a departure from PET in Montreal, most flights from Canada to The Gambia require at least two stops.

• Royal Air Maroc the flagship carrier for Morocco, can get you from YUL in Montreal to Banjul with a single stop in Casablanca. Sometimes Canadian Airline Air Transat cooperates on this route through Barcelona.
• Air Brussels flies to Banjul from Canada with two stops, one in Brussels and another in Senegal. These flights are partly operated by Air Canada, in case you have Air Miles that need spending.
• Lufthansa, an airline with a reputation for long haul flights and exotic destinations, makes this trip to BJL through Brussels and Dakar in Senegal.

What to expect when arriving at Banjul Airport

The beauty of a small airport is that it’s virtually impossible to get lost or not be able to find what you want. BJL has that advantage, along with many of the amenities that are often associated with bigger airports. Upon arrival, you can take advantage of the customs, visa, and immigration services on site. After your official business is done, you can shop at the duty-free stores or have a bite to eat before renting a car or catching a bus or shuttle to Banjul, the city formerly known as Bathurst.