Aviation

Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) has expanded its fleet to 16 aircraft, including the Boeing 737-9 Max, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, and Boeing 767-300F for cargo.

Tanzania's aviation sector is undergoing a significant transformation, anchored by sustained investment in airport infrastructure, fleet modernization, and route expansion.

The sector is positioned as a strategic pillar of the country's ambition to become a premier regional transport and logistics hub, supporting tourism, trade, and passenger movement across the Great Lakes region and beyond.

Sector Overview

The aviation sector has seen significant investment, with the national carrier expanding capacity and the Government modernizing airport infrastructure across the country.

Together with ports, railways, roads, and energy, aviation forms part of an integrated multimodal strategy designed to strengthen domestic connectivity, reduce logistics costs, and enhance the efficient movement of goods, services, people, and information.

The sector simultaneously supports tourism growth, trade facilitation, and Tanzania's positioning as a bridge economy linking the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Air Tanzania Fleet Expansion

Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) has expanded its fleet to 16 aircraft, marking a substantial scale-up of the national carrier's operational capacity.

The fleet now includes the Boeing 737-9 Max for passenger services, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner for long-haul routes, and the Boeing 767-300F dedicated to cargo operations.

The airline plans to acquire eight additional aircraft by 2030 to support domestic and international connectivity and position Tanzania as a regional aviation hub.

This fleet expansion is complemented by route network growth, strengthening the national carrier's presence on continental and intercontinental corridors.

Airport Infrastructure Modernization

The Government has modernized infrastructure at the Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro (Arusha) international airports to handle higher passenger and cargo volumes.

Several regional airports are simultaneously being rehabilitated and expanded to enhance services, support tourism, and facilitate trade across Tanzania's regions.

Construction of the new Msalato International Airport in Dodoma is expected to be completed by 2026.

Msalato International Airport is designed to serve as a hub for passenger and cargo traffic within the Great Lakes region, anchoring the capital's aviation footprint.

Connectivity and Regional Hub Strategy

The Government is expanding airport infrastructure and strengthening national air connectivity to support both passenger and cargo movement.

The ongoing upgrade of several regional airports is aimed at improving operational standards and integrating Tanzania's air network with regional and international routes.

By combining fleet expansion at Air Tanzania with airport modernization, the strategy targets Tanzania's emergence as a regional aviation hub serving East and Southern Africa.

Policy Framework

Aviation is a priority sector within Vision 2050, which officially positions Tanzania as a premier regional transport and logistics hub.

To achieve this, the Government is driving integrated investments across ports, railways, roads, aviation, and energy infrastructure, with aviation embedded in a multimodal connectivity strategy.

The Government's 2025/2026 budget, executed through the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Ministry of Works (MOW), prioritizes major infrastructure investments including aviation.

Vision 2050 also 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.

Investment Opportunities

The fleet expansion programme at Air Tanzania, targeting eight additional aircraft by 2030, opens opportunities along the aviation value chain, including aircraft leasing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and cargo logistics services.

The completion of Msalato International Airport in Dodoma by 2026 creates anchor demand for ground handling, cargo terminal operations, fuel services, and connected logistics infrastructure serving the Great Lakes region.

The ongoing rehabilitation and expansion of regional airports presents entry points for construction, terminal operations, and ancillary services that support tourism and domestic trade flows.

Under Vision 2050's strategic shift toward PPPs, private participation is actively sought across airport infrastructure, route development, and the wider transport and logistics ecosystem.

The combination of a modernized international gateway at Dar es Salaam, an upgraded tourism gateway at Kilimanjaro, and a new capital hub at Msalato positions Tanzania as a competitive destination for aviation-linked investment, including cargo-led services that complement port and rail upgrades.

Last Update: May 2026