As night fell, Bujumbura International Airport, located on the banks of Lake Tanganyika in Burundi, was lit with light. On the runway, large machinery such as pavers, millers, and rolling machines were lined up and roared. Chinese and British staff are racing against the clock to work intensively on the construction of a bitumen concrete facade.

Recently, reporters came to Bujumbura, the economic capital of Burundi, to visit on the ground this airport renovation and expansion project built with Chinese assistance. The project, which was built by Shanghai Baoye Group Co., Ltd., is a landmark project of friendship and cooperation between China and Burundi.

Located in eastern central Africa, Burundi is surrounded by mountains and has only one international airport, Bujumbura International Airport. "Burundi is a landlocked country and this airport is the only air gateway that connects Burundi to the world." Yu Baoliang, the head of the project management team from the Civil Aviation Airport Planning and Design Research General Institute Ltd., told reporters that before the project began, the airport's old facilities and damaged runway severely restricted the development of local air transportation and struggled to meet the urgent needs of national economic and social development.

That is why it is urgent to update the airport. It is understood that the project will renovate the existing runway, taxiway and aerodrome in the flight area, build a landing pad, blowout pad and shoulder, and build a new tower and air traffic control office building of about 1,500 square meters, equipped with corresponding equipment such as air traffic control, communications, meteorology and surveillance.

In 2024, the airport's renovation and expansion project officially began. The team overcame multiple challenges such as shortage of material supplies, unstable power supply from the electricity grid, frequent malaria, and frequent unplanned temporary flights, and all construction work progressed smoothly and orderly. In the face of difficulties such as weak local labor skills, the team gradually improved the operational efficiency through "tongling bands." To date, the project has employed more than 100 local employees, effectively boosting employment in the surrounding communities.

Liu Wei, head of the construction technical team, said that the project was the first large-scale non-aviation construction in China's foreign aid airport project. The project team needs to renovate runways, taxiways and other facilities in the flight area during the empty window period of flight start and landing while the airport is operating normally. This is both a test of construction accuracy and a challenge to organizational ability.

It is understood that construction of the towers and air traffic control office building is mainly carried out during the day, while construction in flight areas such as runways and taxiways is scheduled at night. The procedures in the flight area were precise and rigorous: at 5.30 p.m., personnel and machinery were assembled for pre-class safety education, followed by alcohol testing, security screening and entry by an airport guide car; The following day, construction would be completed by 5 a.m., cleaning and inspection would be organized, airworthiness would be confirmed, and would leave by 5.30 a. m.

"There is no small pressure on non-aviation construction, after all, Burundi has only one airport and one runway." Liu Wei told reporters,“Before each appearance, we will conduct a human wall-to-net inspection to ensure that the flight area is clean and free of objects and does not affect the aviation operation of the day. Any negligence can have serious consequences.”

In December last year, the project team received a letter of thanks from the Civil Aviation Authority of Burundi. The letter praises that during the non-navigational construction of the runway, Chinese enterprises have overcome multiple difficulties, ensured the project progress and the safety of the airport operation through strict on-site controls and efficient coordination and cooperation, and demonstrated professional organizational level and solid construction capability.

The southernmost point of the airport is only about two kilometres from Lake Tanganyika. Project staff told reporters that three or five hippos could occasionally be seen pacing by the lake during construction at night and foraging in the grass not far from the flight zone. Man and animal live in this land.

Locals are looking forward to the airport's transformation. Harris Alakhaza, 28, is one of them. He studied Chinese at the Confucius Institute of the University of Burundi and came to the project in 2024, where he currently works as a translator and integrated manager.

"Not only did this job earn me a decent salary and gain management experience, but it also improved my life." He told reporters,“I look forward very much to the completion of the project, when we will have a better window to the world, connected to it. The new airport will showcase Burundi's image to the world, bring more flights to our country, more tourists, and more opportunities for development.”

The night was deep in Lake Tanganyika, and the airport runway on the lakeside remained busy. The builders of China and Burundi have fought side by side to open a window of development and hope together. (Looking ahead to a new era)