Zanzibar airport generates Sh50 billion in three years as passenger numbers surge

Unguja. Zanzibar’s aviation sector has posted robust growth, with airport revenues reaching Sh50 billion over the past three years—up from Sh18 billion—driven by a steady rise in passenger traffic and increased investment in infrastructure.

According to the Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA), the sharp rise in revenue aligns with a 23 percent year-on-year increase in passenger numbers, from 1.9 million in 2023 to 2.4 million in 2024. Officials now project that passenger numbers will exceed 2.7 million by the end of 2025.

Speaking on Monday, ZAA Director General Seif Abdallah Juma attributed the gains to improved airport operations, service delivery, and the return of international airlines such as Air France.

“We are enhancing our infrastructure and streamlining operations to accommodate growing traffic and offer competitive services,” said Mr Juma. “This year, we’re targeting over 2.7 million passengers—up from 2.4 million last year.”

He further noted that airport revenues have grown by more than 200 percent in just three years, signalling the sector’s strategic value to the archipelago’s economy.

Air France, which had suspended its Zanzibar flights in March due to low-season passenger volumes, resumed service this week. The airline will now operate three weekly flights using aircraft with a 275-passenger capacity.

“This resumption marks an important step in reconnecting Zanzibar with the European market,” said Mr. Juma.

Currently, over 78 airlines operate flights to Zanzibar, and authorities expect that number to grow as the peak travel season gains momentum in June and July.

To bolster its position as a regional aviation hub, Zanzibar will host the 2025 AviaDev Africa conference this June. The event is expected to attract over 500 participants and 50 aviation-related organizations from across the globe, including airlines, aircraft manufacturers, service providers, and tourism stakeholders.

“This is a strategic platform to showcase Zanzibar’s potential in both aviation and tourism,” Mr. Juma added.

Tourism industry players have welcomed the developments. Haji Ali Haji, a local operator, said continued investment in infrastructure is yielding positive results and urged the government to maintain the momentum.

“The growth we’re witnessing reflects ongoing improvements. With more targeted investments, Zanzibar can attract even more international visitors,” he said.

The aviation and tourism sectors remain central to Zanzibar’s economic agenda, contributing significantly to employment, foreign exchange, and infrastructure development.