The two aircraft belonging to the national carrier Camair-Co touched down on the tarmac at Bamenda Airport on Sunday, March 29, 2026. These were test flights, conducted by a Boeing 737 and a Q-400 respectively, for the final validation of the air navigation procedures recently developed by ASECNA. This demonstration once again reaffirms the reliability of the equipment used and the security measures implemented at the site in preparation for the imminent arrival of Pope Leo XIV.

With these two flights, Bamenda Airport has reached a significant milestone in its operational modernization process. Indeed, following the successful test flight of the ASECNA technical aircraft a few days ago, the coordinated landing of two flights featuring distinct aircraft types—the Boeing 737 and Camair-Co’s Q-400—has positively confirmed the viability of the infrastructure put in place.

Speaking enthusiastically upon his arrival on the ground, the Governor of the Northwest Region, Mr. Adolphe Lele Lafrique, who witnessed the exercise, emphasized that “this deployment served as a convincing dress rehearsal to ensure maximum security during the Supreme Pontiff’s visit, scheduled for April 16.” The regional authority was particularly keen to commend the expertise and unwavering commitment of the Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA), the ADCs, and the national airline CamairCo, whose rigorous work on navigation systems and security measures enabled this rapid compliance with standards.

While CCAA teams are busy making final adjustments to air navigation, aeronautical communication, airspace security, and safety equipment installations, this technical achievement instills a sense of pride and general peace of mind, particularly among the people of the Northwest, who are now ready to host this historic event under navigation conditions that meet international standards.

Sandrine ZOBO/CRP