Cap Skirring Airport was the scene of a forced landing after a flight was struck by a bird in mid-air. The damaged engine, which caught fire, prompted a rapid response from airport emergency services to evacuate the passengers. Several people were injured in the accident.

This accident was in fact only a safety and security exercise conducted on the runway of Cap Skirring International Airport. It was an evaluation operation aimed at measuring the effectiveness of the airport's emergency plan and the response capacity of its staff in the event of a real crisis.

This operation, dubbed "Ucofo Buyikaab" — which means "avoiding disaster" in the local Diola language — took place in the presence of the High Authority for Airports of Senegal (HAAS), the general management of AIBD, and local authorities from Diembéring. Also present was the Queen Mother of Oussouye, representing the royal court.

Colonel François Sambou, Secretary General of HAAS, praised the pragmatism of the passenger rescue operations and the professionalism of all stakeholders.

“This crisis management exercise was conducted in accordance with international and national requirements. Its objective was to test and validate the emergency plan for Cap Skirring International Airport, as well as the sectoral emergency plans of all entities operating within the infrastructure. The scenario was complex, combining security incidents, including a bird strike which led, after landing, to an engine fire and the evacuation of passengers with injuries,” Colonel Sambou emphasized.

The Secretary General of the High Authority of Airports of Senegal explained on this occasion that the objectives were to test the detection, alert and response to threats, to evaluate inter-service coordination (as well as with external services) and to verify the rigorous application of the emergency plan.

Colonel François Sambou expressed his complete satisfaction following the operation. “Everything was carried out in a well-controlled manner, without any real impact on the safety of passengers, staff, or facilities. We held a debriefing immediately afterward. We noted some positive aspects, but also areas for improvement,” he stated. Other exercises of this kind will take place, according to the Secretary-General, who added that a more in-depth analysis of this simulation will be conducted as soon as possible.

The Director General of AIBD, Cheikh Mamadou Abiboulaye Dièye, congratulated all the entities involved in the operation. The Director General of Blaise Diagne International Airport also praised the professionalism of the teams involved, while reiterating the importance of this exercise and the commitment of state authorities to developing infrastructure to meet international standards.

"This is an exercise that will need to be repeated often to acquire the mechanisms, the consistency and above all to develop a capacity to react promptly. Senegal, under the impetus of the President of the Republic and the government, with the Prime Minister at its head, aims to make our country an air hub," explained the Director General of AIBD.

However, to achieve this goal, he stressed that many sacrifices and a huge amount of commitment will be required.

Cheikh Bamba Dièye reminded local populations of the Head of State's commitment to improving airport infrastructure in the South to further open up the region. "Not long ago, 13 billion CFA francs were invested to complete the Ziguinchor airport. We have a certified international airport here in Cap Skirring. This demonstrates that the President of the Republic and the Senegalese government are committed and truly aim to develop our airports, democratize aviation, and ensure that citizens throughout the country can use this modern and safe tool."

The CEO of AIBD concluded by stating that this exercise was also an important opportunity to highlight the interconnection and close relationship between the airport, its territory and the local community.