Iringa airport upgrade boosts tourism in the southern highlands
What you need to know:
- The airport is a link to the southern circuit of tourism. Iringa is home to Ruaha National Park and historical sites such as Kalenga musum.
Iringa. The recent completion of the Sh60 billion expansion and renovation of Iringa's Nduli Airport has marked a significant milestone for the region, after the start of scheduled flights.
The airport used to receive charted flights but recently, Auric Air introduced daily flights including chartered and scheduled trips.
The airport is a link to the southern circuit of tourism. Iringa is home to Ruaha National Park and historical sites such as Kalenga musum.
Auric Air’s Iringa station manager, Mr Seleli Mhoja, highlighted that the airline now operates scheduled flights with aircraft that can carry up to 37 passengers, a major increase from the previous 13-seater planes.
"The positive customer response is due to the change in our aircraft...We've introduced larger aircraft that can accommodate more passengers, and this has greatly improved business and travel within the region," Mr Mhoja said.
The airport’s improvements are also driving growth in Tanzania’s tourism sector.
According to Auric Air's reservation officer in Iringa, Ms Mulk Hussein, the release of the Royal Tour film featuring President Samia Suluhu Hassan has led to a surge in tourists visiting national parks like Ruaha, Serengeti, and Nyerere.
The increase in visitors has boosted airline revenues and supported government efforts to promote Tanzania’s tourist attractions, he said.
"The larger aircraft now flies four times a week, making travel easier and more comfortable for tourists and business travelers," Ms Hussein said.
"We work closely with the government and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to connect travelers to key destinations, including Ruaha and Serengeti national parks, as well as Zanzibar," she added.
The airport expansion has also attracted international tourists, such as Matthew Graturicke, a student from Zimbabwe, who expressed his excitement about visiting Ruaha National Park for the first time.
With its upgraded facilities, Nduli Airport is now positioned as a critical hub for tourism and economic development in Iringa and the Southern Highlands.
The project is expected to continue fueling growth in the region, benefiting both local communities and Tanzania's overall tourism sector.
