Arusha Airport in Tanzania, popular for charter flights for tourists, will soon be back to full operation after a TZS6,3 billion (R49 million) expansion.
Expansion of the airport has been under way since 2020/21 and is expected to be completed next financial year.
The airport, also known as Kilimanjaro Airport, on the outskirts of Arusha, is one of the oldest in the country, and is also the gateway to Tanzania's national parks: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Work has been done to extend the runway to accommodate larger aircraft.
The expansion included construction and rehabilitation of the main apron and an upgrade of the remote apron and parallel taxiway.
A report provided to The Citizen Tanzania by the Arusha Regional Commissioner’s office mentions other civil works at the facility, including the construction of a terminal building, now 70% complete.
Arusha Airport is among the 59 airports managed, maintained, and operated by the Tanzania Airports Authority.
During a recent visit to the airport, the Deputy Minister for Works and Transport Atupele Mwakibete said plans were under way to make the facility operate 24 hours.
“This has to be preceded by the installation of floodlights along the runway. Currently, the airport operates for only 12 hours during the day,” he said.
The airport is the second busiest in Tanzania. It is located about 45 minutes from Arusha town centre.
