The Togolese government plans to construct a new airport in the capital Lome, although the existing facility is undergoing modernization and extension at a cost of $150 million, an official source told Xinhua on Thursday.

Togolese Transport Minister Ninsao Gnofam confirmed the ongoing search for a site for the construction of the new airport at a recent cabinet meeting presided over by President Faure Gnassingbe.

According to the recommendations of the first feasibility studies, Tsevie, 40 km from Lome, has been selected among the three sites already identified.

The government noted that this site appears to be the most ideal and meets the different international standards.

The construction of a new airport in Lome has been justified by the inadequate capacity of the current Gnassingbe Eyadema International Airport.

"Going by the development plans and estimated traffic flow in future, the capacity of our airport will reach 1.5 million passengers by the year 2010 and beyond this period, there will be no room for expansion," Togo's Commerce Minister Ahoomey-Zunu Seleagodji said.

After the completion of modernization and extension, the Gnassingbe Eyadema International Airport will be able to receive 1.5 million visitors annually and simultaneously serve two large planes and three medium-sized planes.

It will also be able to handle 50,000 tons per year and equipped with a hotel of 96 rooms.

The funds for the modernization of the airport were obtained through a loan with a preferential interest rate from China Eximbank under the auspices of Sino-African cooperation.