Arusha Airport in Tanzania has commenced round-the-clock operations following an $4.16 million modernisation programme, a development expected to improve air connectivity and strengthen tourism growth across the country’s northern safari circuit.
According to Zawya, the introduction of night operations removes the airport’s previous 12-hour operating restriction. It means airlines will gain greater flexibility in scheduling flights, improve access to Arusha and strengthen the region’s capacity to serve tourists, business travellers and other passengers.
Prof Makame Mbarawa, the Transport minister, announced the commencement of the 24-hour service on Monday night during the official launch at the airport. He said the Government had invested Tsh11 billion in improvements that began in the 2023/24 financial year, including the installation of modern Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) systems to facilitate night-time aircraft operations.” Today is a historic day. We have installed modern lighting systems, enabling this airport to operate both day and night,” he said.
READ: Africa: Upgraded Arusha Airport Set for 24-Hour Operations to Boost Tanzania’s Tourism
Prof Mbarawa said the expanded operating hours should translate into tangible economic benefits, particularly through increased airline activity, higher airport revenues and extended business hours for hotels, restaurants and other tourism service providers. He urged the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) and the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) to engage airlines and secure more night flights.”It is not enough to have an airport capable of operating 24 hours. We want to see airlines using these facilities throughout the day and night,” he said.
He also directed TCAA to maintain strict safety standards as operations expand, insisting that increased traffic must not compromise the safety and security of passengers, airport users and their property.”The safety of our people, passengers and their property remains our priority,” he said. The minister further called on Arusha’s tourism and business community to seize the opportunity by adjusting their services to accommodate travellers arriving and departing outside conventional business hours.“If demand grows, we will expand the airport to ensure that its capacity matches future requirements,” he said.
TAA Director-General Abdul Mombokaleo said the authority had completed the infrastructure improvements and was strengthening its workforce to sustain uninterrupted operations. Officials admit that the new operating hours will require additional staff, as duties that were previously handled by ten employees during the airport’s 12-hour operating day will now need to be covered around the clock. Mr Mombokaleo said TAA would also hold consultations with airline operators to coordinate flight schedules and maximise the use of available infrastructure. Airport Manager Edgar Mwankuga said that part of the Tsh11 billion (($4.16 million) investment was used to extend the runway from approximately 1.64 kilometres to 1.84 kilometres. This has increased the airport’s capacity to accommodate aircraft such as the ATR 72 and Bombardier Q400.
The aircraft parking apron was also expanded to approximately 15,000 square metres, alongside other improvements aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and passenger handling capacity.
Mr Mwankuga said that the completion of the lighting project has paved the way for airlines to introduce more flexible flight schedules, which could lead to an increase in daily aircraft movements and airport revenues.
