 The airport was inaugurated on Equatorial Guinea's Independence Day, 12 October 2012.The inauguration was presided over by President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and his wife Constancia Mangue, with the attendance of the President of the Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, Manuel Pinto da Costa, guest of honour of the celebrations of independence.During the inauguration the Minister of Civil Aviation Fausto Abeso Fuma claimed the new airport is the best equipped, not only of Equatorial Guinea, but of Central Africa.