Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has expanded the number of airports capable of operating around the clock from four to nine, in a move that underscores a sustained drive to modernise aviation infrastructure and deepen connectivity across the country.
The milestone was disclosed on February 16, 2026, as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure commended the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) for steady progress in upgrading airport facilities and improving air transport services.
The commendation was delivered by committee member Johnston Mutasingwa, speaking on behalf of the chairperson, Mr Selemani Kakoso, during an official visit to TAA headquarters in Dar es Salaam.
Presenting the authority’s operational performance, TAA official Mr Nasib Elias, said the expansion of 24-hour airport operations marks a critical step in enhancing efficiency, safety, and reliability in air transport.
Speaking on behalf of TAA Director General, Mr Abdul Mombokaleo, Mr Elias said the number of airports offering uninterrupted services had increased from four in the 2022/23 financial year to nine in 2024/25.
He described the achievement as central to boosting tourism, facilitating cargo movement, and strengthening regional and international links.
Mr Elias said TAA had continued to invest heavily in the construction, rehabilitation, and expansion of airports.
He added that significant resources had also been channelled into the installation of modern safety, security, and navigation systems to support aircraft operations, passenger handling, and cargo processing.
“Land-use planning around airports had been strengthened to ensure orderly development, safety, and long-term operational sustainability,” he noted.
Under the government’s wider aviation strategy, TAA is planning the construction of new airports in Serengeti, Njombe, and Kyabajwa.
The projects are intended to unlock tourism potential, ease access to remote regions, and improve the transportation of both perishable and non-perishable cargo.
Mr Elias said these investments were aligned with national development priorities and were expected to contribute directly to economic growth and increased public revenue.
Operational statistics for the 2024/25 financial year show modest but steady gains.
The number of aircraft movements rose to 149,835, up from 148,897 recorded in 2023/24.
Passenger traffic increased to 5.25 million, compared with 5.15 million in the previous year.
Cargo volumes also expanded, rising by 8.8 percent from 34,620 tonnes to 37,683 tonnes.
Mr Elias said the figures reflected a gradual recovery and sustained growth in air travel and logistics, supported by ongoing infrastructure improvements and service enhancements.
Members of the parliamentary committee also toured the newly completed VIP terminal at Julius Nyerere International Airport, located within Terminal One.
The facility is designed to handle up to five heads of state simultaneously and includes a dedicated lounge and two conference halls.
Committee members said the facility meets international standards and will enhance Tanzania’s capacity to host high-level regional and global engagements.
They urged TAA to maintain momentum in infrastructure development while prioritising safety, service quality, and operational efficiency.
They said sustained investment in aviation would remain critical to tourism growth, trade expansion, and Tanzania’s broader integration into regional and global transport networks.
