Airlines
Tanzania's airline sector handled 7,165,760 passengers in the 2023/2024 financial year, up 10.1% from 6,507,476 the year before, supported by 40 operating airlines and 47 outbound international flights per day.[1][2]
Airlines are a key driver of tourism and trade in Tanzania, with the sub-sector showing a strong post-COVID-19 recovery across domestic and international routes.
The growth is driven by fleet expansion at Air Tanzania, the national carrier, the resumption and increased flight frequencies by international airlines, and ongoing airport infrastructure upgrades.[1]
Table of Contents
Air Traffic Performance 2023/2024
Overall aircraft movements rose 3% in the 2023/2024 financial year, from 263,437 in 2022/2023 to 271,376 movements.[1]
Passenger traffic increased by 10.1%, from 6,507,476 to 7,165,760 passengers.
Cargo volume rose by 7.8%, from 36,204.7 tonnes to 39,027.3 tonnes.[1]
These gains reflect both stronger domestic demand and the return of long-haul international carriers to Tanzanian airports.
International Airline Traffic
International aircraft movements increased by 6.2% in 2023/2024, from 42,123 to 44,750.[1]
International passenger traffic grew 15.0%, from 2,782,596 to 3,199,861 passengers.
International cargo handling rose 9.7%, from 32,916.7 tonnes to 36,095.0 tonnes, supported by growing reliance on air freight for time-sensitive goods including electronics, pharmaceuticals, and perishable products.[1]
Tanzania recorded 47 outbound international flights per day in 2023, supported by 40 operating airlines, with this segment accounting for 43% of total origin-destination (O-D) departures from the country.[2]
Europe was the largest passenger market in 2023, accounting for 41% of total international traffic, followed by Africa (31%), the Middle East (12%), Asia Pacific (10%), North America (6%), and Latin America (less than 1%).[2]
Domestic Airline Traffic
Domestically, aircraft movements increased 2.4% in 2023/2024, from 221,314 to 226,626 movements.[1]
Domestic passenger traffic grew 6.5%, from 3,724,880 to 3,965,899 passengers.
Domestic cargo volumes, however, decreased by 10.8%, from 3,287.9 tonnes to 2,932.3 tonnes.[1]
In 2023, Tanzania's air connectivity included 22 airports with commercial scheduled flights, of which three are international: Dar es Salaam serving the commercial capital, Kilimanjaro serving the northern safari circuit, and Zanzibar.[1]
Domestic routes are served by a mix of operators, including Air Tanzania and several smaller regional airlines that operate routes to selected destinations within the network.
International Carriers and Route Network
Tanzania is connected by direct flights to several major hubs, including Turkey (Istanbul), France (Paris), and the Netherlands (Amsterdam).
However, there are no direct flights to North or South America, including the United States.[2]
Recent developments in international air connectivity include the arrival of Saudia at Dar es Salaam in 2023 and the return of Air France to Kilimanjaro that same year after a 28-year hiatus.
This was followed by the launch of Zambia Airways services in 2024 and the resumption of South African Airways flights in 2025, with Brussels Airlines also planned to connect to Kilimanjaro in June 2026.[2]
Air Tanzania, The National Carrier
Air Tanzania has expanded its operations in recent years, increasing its fleet with Boeing 767 freighters and Dreamliners to strengthen long-haul, cargo, and domestic connectivity.
Its current fleet consists of 16 aircraft: three B787-8s, two B737-9s, one B767-300F, four A220-300s, five DHC-8-Q400s, and one DHC-8-Q300.
The airline operates 16 domestic routes from Dar es Salaam to major cities including Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Mwanza, Arusha, and Dodoma.
It also serves 14 regional African destinations, as well as Guangzhou (China), Mumbai (India), and Dubai (UAE).
However, the airline has been banned from European Union airspace since 2024 due to safety concerns.
Airport Infrastructure Supporting Airlines
The Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) manages 61 airports across the country, providing the ground infrastructure on which domestic and regional airlines operate.[2]
The Government is finalizing the construction of the new Msalato International Airport in the capital, Dodoma, which is expected to be operational by 2026.
Msalato will serve as a hub for passenger and cargo traffic within the Great Lakes region, supporting both domestic and international flights.
Several regional airports are also undergoing upgrades to improve operational standards and connectivity, expanding the route options available to airlines.
Policy Framework and Government Direction
The Government is implementing measures to strengthen the national carrier, Air Tanzania, through fleet expansion and route network growth.
The airline plans to acquire eight additional aircraft by 2030 to support domestic and international connectivity and position Tanzania as a regional aviation hub.
Vision 2050 identifies the transport sector as a priority area for private investment, with a strategic shift toward Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and a redefined role for the Government as a facilitator of investment rather than solely a regulator.
The policy framework positions Tanzania to leverage its comparative advantage as a bridge economy linking the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), supporting its ambition to develop into a regional transport and logistics hub.
Investment Opportunities
The planned acquisition of eight additional aircraft by Air Tanzania by 2030 opens opportunities in aircraft leasing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, ground handling, and cargo logistics.
Air freight demand is rising for time-sensitive goods, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, and perishable products, with international cargo handling already growing 9.7% in 2023/2024 to 36,095.0 tonnes.[1]
The commissioning of Msalato International Airport in Dodoma, designed as a Great Lakes regional hub, creates openings for new airline route launches, freight forwarding, and passenger services serving both domestic and international markets.
With Europe accounting for 41% of international passenger traffic and the absence of direct flights to the Americas, there is a clear gap for new long-haul carrier entry, particularly to North and South America.[2]
The expanding network of 22 commercial airports and 61 TAA-managed airports nationwide, combined with regional connectivity gains via Zambia Airways, South African Airways, and Brussels Airlines, also supports opportunities in regional feeder airline operations, charter services, and aviation training.
Last Update: May 2026
References
- https://www.tcaa.go.tz/ctrback/docs/PKCUAEdZjHxG20251002151752.pdf (Guide reference #195)
- https://www.iata.org/en/iata-repository/publications/economic-reports/the-value-of-air-transport-to-tanzania/ (Guide reference #196)
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