The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has reviewed applications for air and ground handling services licences as the country moves to regulate aviation service providers under its established licensing framework.
The decisions were reached at the Authority’s 43rd Ordinary Licensing Board Meeting held on November 11, 2026, at Aviation House, according to a public notice issued by the TCAA.
The notice stated that the Board considered applications from companies and operators seeking licences to provide air and ground handling services. However, the published document did not identify the individual applicants or specify the outcomes of their applications.
The Authority explained that all licences approved by the Board would be issued through its Civil Aviation Services Portal (CASP), subject to applicants fulfilling the applicable licensing requirements and conditions.
For ground handling services, the TCAA outlined three categories of airport classifications that determine where licensed operators can provide their services.
Class I covers Julius Nyerere International Airport, while Class II includes Kilimanjaro International Airport, Abeid Amani Karume International Airport and Mwanza Airport. Class III applies to all other airports in the United Republic of Tanzania.
Under the licensing provisions, operators approved for Class I airports are automatically eligible to provide services at Class II and Class III airports. Similarly, approval for Class II airports extends to Class III facilities.
However, operators licensed exclusively for Class III airports are restricted to providing services at airports within that category.
The Authority also clarified that obtaining a ground handling licence does not automatically permit an operator to commence services at an airport. Licensees must first secure a concession from the respective airport operator before providing the approved services.
The licensing framework is intended to ensure that ground handling companies meet regulatory requirements and obtain the necessary airport-level authorisation before commencing operations.
The public notice was signed by TCAA Director General, Dr Jabiri K. Bakari, and issued on November 11, 2026.
