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Tanzania’s aviation sector shows strong growth as brighter days beckon
What you need to know:
- International flights saw a 5.3 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023, while domestic flights grew by 7.1 percent.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s aviation sector has experienced robust growth in the quarter ending September 2024, with notable increases in the number of flights, domestic passengers, and cargo volume.
This growth is driven by the country’s expanding economic activities, which have positively impacted air travel.
According to the Bank of Tanzania's Consolidated Zonal Economic Performance Report for the Quarter Ending September 2024, released on March 7, 2024, both domestic and international flights showed considerable improvements.
International flights saw a 5.3 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023, while domestic flights grew by 7.1 percent.
These increases highlight the rising demand for air travel, both within and outside Tanzania.
By the end of September 2024, Tanzania recorded a total of 8,865 international flights and 33,767 domestic flights, marking a significant upward trend from the previous quarter.
International passenger numbers also rose, reaching 599,494, although this was a slight decrease from 727,647 during the same period in 2023.
Nevertheless, the increase marks a strong rebound compared to earlier in the year.
The report also highlighted the impressive performance of major airports across the country, with the central region making a significant contribution to the increase in domestic flights.
Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands, Lake, and Northern zones also saw increases in both domestic flights and cargo volume.
The southern regions, in particular, contributed greatly to the overall growth in domestic passenger traffic.
A total of 762,104 domestic passengers flew during the quarter, up from 714,810 in the same period of 2023.
Dar es Salaam continued to lead in both international and domestic passenger traffic.
Aviation expert John Njawa attributes this growth to an increase in disposable income, which has led more people to opt for air travel.
"There has been considerable effort by the government to promote the country’s services and products, both domestically and internationally. People are increasingly looking to expedite their activities and move on to the next task," Mr Njawa explained.
Mr Njawa also noted that the Tanzanian government has been pivotal in integrating the country into the global community, thus creating new opportunities for the aviation sector.
His sentiments were echoed by Precision Air’s marketing and communications manager, Mr Hilary Mremi, who highlighted how government efforts to promote tourism, such as the Royal Tour, and infrastructure development have contributed to the sector's growth.
"The airports in Songea, Mpanda, and, most recently, Iringa, have enabled operators to launch more domestic flights, resulting in higher traffic," said Mr Mremi.
Cargo volume also saw impressive growth during the quarter, increasing to 9,632.2 tonnes, up from 7,908 tonnes in the same period last year.
Dar es Salaam maintained its dominance, handling the largest share of freight in the country, followed by the Lake and Southern zones.
Cargo volumes at airports in these regions rose in tandem with increasing trade activities. For example, Dar es Salaam alone handled 7,730.7 tonnes of cargo, making a significant contribution to the overall growth of the sector.
The 21.7 percent increase in cargo volume underscores the growing importance of air transport for freight, driven by the expansion of trade and commercial activities in the region.
Some analysts attribute the large volumes to Air Tanzania’s acquisition of the Boeing 767 freighter, which has a capacity of 54 tonnes and is seen as a game-changer for the sector.
Aviation consultant Jimray Nangawe explained that while air cargo may only account for 1 percent of total cargo volume, it typically represents nearly 75 percent of the overall value of transport.
"The period in review coincided with the arrival of two new aircraft for Air Tanzania, which not only boosted passenger capacity but also significantly increased cargo capacity. For example, the Dreamliner alone can carry up to 25 tonnes of cargo," Mr Nangawe said.
Mr Nangawe believes the aviation sector's strong performance reflects Tanzania's broader economic growth.
Gaudence Temu of Celebi Aviation also sees a promising future for the sector. He believes continued investment in airport infrastructure will be key to supporting the country’s economic development in the coming years.
"Massive investments in ATCL and airport infrastructure by the government have opened up access to previously underutilized airports. Contributions from other airlines such as Precision Air, Auric, and Coastal Aviation are also worth recognition," Mr Temu noted.
Mr Temu further emphasised that despite the launch of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), the aviation sector will continue to thrive due to the country’s vast size.
"I don't think the introduction of SGR will negatively impact the aviation sector. Rather, the two are meant to complement each other. Besides, as of now, the SGR is operating from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, but our country is vast," he concluded.
With continued investment in both infrastructure and tourism, the aviation sector is poised to play an even more crucial role in supporting Tanzania's economic development in the years ahead.
