Institutions and records
Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
Short answer
- Established
- July 1991, autonomous body 1
- Roles
- Regulator, air navigation provider and airport operator 1
- Director General
- Fansu Bojang 3
- Directorates
- Eight 2
- Share of security fee
- 25 percent, or US$5 of US$20 9
- Official site
- gcaa.aero 1
What the GCAA does
The GCAA says its main aim is to regulate civil aviation and air transport in line with the Chicago Convention. It licenses and certifies airlines, pilots and other aviation staff, and monitors safety, security and operational standards 1.
It manages air traffic control, communication, navigation and surveillance in Gambian airspace. It operates and manages Banjul International Airport 1. Its stated mission includes earning a reasonable return on investment 1.
Director General Fansu Bojang says the authority works in line with ICAO, the African Civil Aviation Commission and the Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organization 3.
Directorates
- Air Navigation Services: air traffic control and aeronautical information 2
- Flight Safety Standards: licensing, airline certification and aircraft surveillance 2
- Airport Operations: Banjul airport operations, fire services and security 2
- Air Transport and Commerce: revenue sources, airport marketing and non-aeronautical investment 2
- Engineering and Maintenance, Finance, Human Resources and Administration, and Internal Audit 2
Legal basis
Sources give different laws. The GCAA website says it was set up in July 1991 under the Public Enterprise Act of 1989 1. The National Assembly holds the Civil Aviation Act 2004 in its online library, posted on 8 July 2026 4. The transport minister's 2025 statement to ICAO refers to the GCAA Act 2018 5.
This site could not open the text of either Act, so it does not quote their sections. Read the 2004 Act on the National Assembly site 4.
Passenger charges
On 27 January 2023 The Point reported a GCAA statement signed by Fansu Bojang. It said the Passenger Service Charge would rise from £10 to £15 and a new Passenger Safety Levy of US$5 per departing passenger would fund The Gambia's contribution to BAGASOO. The changes were to take effect on 1 May 2023 8.
The same report said security charges would move from £1.5 to US$25 per arriving and per departing passenger and that manual collection of Securiport charges would stop. The report mixes pound and dollar figures 8. This site did not confirm from a GCAA tariff whether these changes took effect. The GCAA said charges had not changed in more than three decades 8.
Audits and Parliament
In January 2016 the joint PAC and PEC committee commended the GCAA for compliance with Gambia Public Procurement Authority rules after adopting its activity and financial report 7. The deputy director general told the committee the authority sought an FAA IASA Category 1 rating 6.
In February 2023 The Point reported a National Audit Office finding that the GCAA received no 25 percent share of the security fee from September 2020 to April 2021. Its first receipt was D16,452,987.3 on 20 May 2021. The office cited a serious lack of monitoring by the government through the GCAA 9. No GCAA response was reported 9.
US travel advice from December 2018 says the FAA has not assessed the Gambian Civil Aviation Authority 10.
Common questions
Who runs Banjul International Airport?
The GCAA operates and manages Banjul International Airport 1.
Who is the GCAA Director General?
The GCAA website names Fansu Bojang as Director General 3.
Which law set up the GCAA?
The GCAA cites the Public Enterprise Act of 1989 1. Officials cite the GCAA Act 2018 5, and the Assembly holds a Civil Aviation Act 2004 4.
How much of the security fee goes to the GCAA?
The audit office reported a split of US$5, or 25 percent, to the GCAA and US$15 to Securiport 9.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@gambiaairportguide.com.
Sources
- Gambia Civil Aviation Authority: About the Authority (official page, undated)
- Gambia Civil Aviation Authority: Directorates (official page, undated)
- Gambia Civil Aviation Authority: The Director General's message (official page, undated)
- National Assembly of The Gambia: Civil Aviation Act 2004 (posted 8 July 2026)
- ICAO: Statement by the Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure of The Gambia, FALC 2025 meeting files (2025)
- The Point (Njie Baldeh): GCAA continues to strive for full compliance with ICAO (28 January 2016)
- The Point (Njie Baldeh): GCAA commended for being compliant (29 January 2016)
- The Point (Ali Jaw): GCAA to increase flight passenger charges (27 January 2023)
- The Point (Adama Tine): Gov't loses 7-month share to Securiport (9 February 2023)
- US Department of State: The Gambia international travel information (last updated 11 December 2018)
Related
- Passenger charges at Banjul International Airport
The US$20 Airport Security Fee paid at kiosks, and the passenger service, security and development charges listed by the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority.
- Audits and parliamentary scrutiny of Banjul airport
National Audit Office findings on the Securiport airport security fee contract, official responses, and National Assembly scrutiny of GCAA and GIA.
- Security screening at Banjul International Airport
Who screens passengers and bags at Banjul airport, the rules on prohibited items, how the US$20 security fee differs from screening, and past audits.
- Ground handling at Banjul International Airport
Gambia International Airlines handles passengers, bags and cargo at Banjul airport. Its services, equipment, past management contract and audit findings.
- ICAO safety and security audits of The Gambia
The Gambia's ICAO safety oversight score of 70.48 percent from an October 2020 validation, by area, plus FAA status and security audit records.
- Civil aviation laws, treaties and regulations in The Gambia
The Acts behind the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, aviation treaties The Gambia has joined or is weighing, GCAA licence rules and laws planned to 2028.