Works, Projects, and Stir in Air, Maritime, and Rail Transport

During a plenary session at the Assembly of People's Representatives, the Minister of Transport, Rachid Amri, presented a comprehensive overview of his department's initiatives, underscoring a commitment to modernizing Tunisia's infrastructure. The 'Internal Airports Dynamization' project, a collaborative effort across ministries, aims to breathe new life into regional air travel hubs such as Sfax, Tabarka, and Tozeur, with ongoing refurbishment work and a strict 70% occupancy rate mandate for national carrier flights to ensure financial sustainability.

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The operations have already begun for the airports of Sfax, Tabarka, and Tozeur, in parallel with the continuation of the development work of these infrastructures.

At the Port of Radès, the focus is on enhancing both technical capabilities and service quality. While acknowledging that some cranes are currently non-operational, the minister highlighted the successful acquisition of three new reach stackers and other equipment, which have significantly improved cargo handling and halved the accumulation of goods compared to previous years. The acquisition of additional cranes is slated for September, signaling a proactive approach to overcoming logistical challenges.

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The flight occupancy rate for scheduled flights from internal airports must not be less than 70% in order to preserve the financial balance of the national carrier.

Furthermore, substantial state funding is being channeled into the railway sector for track rehabilitation and overall improvement of the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Tunisiens (SNCFT). Following initial investments in road transport and bus acquisition, the ministry is now prioritizing rail infrastructure. Loans have been secured for key lines, including Line 6 (Tunis-Kasserine via Le Kef) and Line 22 (to Mahdia). Minister Amri expressed optimism that by the end of 2026, all forms of transport will operate at a level that satisfies the legitimate expectations of Tunisian citizens, reflecting a broad vision for national connectivity and mobility.

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Several cranes are no longer operational, while the supervisory authorities have succeeded in overcoming the problems of handling goods and reducing their accumulation at the port by half compared to previous years.