Arusha Airport gets set for 24-hour flight operations

Dodoma. Arusha Airport, located in Kasongo, Arusha city, will begin 24-hour flight operations starting December 2025.

Besides, Sh5.93 billion has been paid as compensation to 187 residents affected by the construction of Manyara Lake Airport.

Iringa Regional Commissioner, Kenani Kihongosi, revealed this on Sunday, July 20, 2025, while highlighting the government’s achievements in his region.

He said that following an increase in tourist numbers, Iringa received Sh103 billion for upgrading two airports.

This comes as tourism has officially surpassed gold as Tanzania’s leading foreign exchange earner, with revenues from the sector approaching the $4 billion mark, a historic milestone in the country’s post-pandemic economic recovery.

According to the Bank of Tanzania’s (BoT) Monthly Economic Review for June 2025, tourism generated $3.92 billion in earnings during the year ending May 2025. This is a rise from $3.63 billion in the previous year and represents 55.1 percent of all service-related receipts.

The earnings placed tourism just ahead of gold, which brought in $3.83 billion over the same period, highlighting the sector’s growing dominance in Tanzania’s external trade landscape.

“The increase in travel receipts was largely attributed to a rise in international tourist arrivals, which increased to 2,170,360 from 1,961,870 over the same period,” noted the BoT.

According to Mr Kihongosi, the airports involved are Arusha and Lake Manyara. The funds have been used to improve infrastructure and increase passenger capacity due to growing flights.

“Sh640 million was spent upgrading car parking and Sh2.8 billion on a modern passenger terminal and expanded runway,” said Mr Kihongosi.

He confirmed that construction is complete and the airport is operational.

Arusha Airport is now the second busiest in flight numbers in Tanzania and third by passenger volume, after Kilimanjaro International Airport and Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.

The government has allocated Sh11 billion to install modern lighting systems for night operations.

Once completed, the airport will operate 24 hours and handle international flights.

Mr Kihongosi added that Sh88.53 billion has been invested in upgrading Lake Manyara Airport.

“This project supports tourism in the Northern Circuit, including Arusha Region,” he said.

He also announced a new geological museum project at Ngorongoro, built in partnership with China at a cost of Sh25 billion.

The museum showcases geological sites and communities within Ngorongoro Crater, aiming to preserve heritage, enhance education, improve visitor services, and boost the local economy.

On infrastructure, construction of a four-lane road from Arusha Airport to the city centre is underway to ease congestion.

A contract for the Arusha-Kongwa road in Dodoma Region has also been signed.

Local resident Doreen Aloyce said the upgraded airport will benefit traders exporting goods, reducing travel time and costs previously spent going to Dar es Salaam.

“Flower traders, for example, faced high costs shipping via Kilimanjaro International Airport. Arusha Airport’s upgrade will cut these expenses,” she said.

She added the improvements will ease transport for tourists visiting attractions in Arusha and Manyara.