Tanzania’s Songea Airport set for 24-hour operations following major renovation
What you need to know:
- Additionally, the flight parking area has been enlarged to accommodate four Q400 aircraft and three smaller planes, with renovations to the passenger terminal nearing completion.
Songea. Songea Airport in the Ruvuma Region is poised to begin 24-hour operations following the completion of a Sh40.87 billion rehabilitation and expansion project.
The development is expected to unlock various economic opportunities for Tanzanians and investors in the Ruvuma Region.
The Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mohamed Besta, announced the airport's readiness on Monday, September 23, 2024, during a briefing for President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is in Ruvuma for the closing of a cultural and traditional festival at the Majimaji Memorial Stadium.
Mr Besta noted that the airport's runway has undergone significant rehabilitation, increasing in length from the previous 1,625 meters to 1,860 meters.
The width has also expanded from 23 meters to 30 meters, meeting International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) specifications.
Additionally, the flight parking area has been enlarged to accommodate four Q400 aircraft and three smaller planes, with renovations to the passenger terminal nearing completion.
The Director General of the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), Mr Abdul Mombokaleo, said that the upgrades would facilitate 24-hour operations at the airport.
He highlighted a significant increase in annual passenger numbers, from 3,600 in 2021 to 19,620 currently.
"With the available opportunities in Ruvuma Region and plans to operate the airport similarly to Songwe and Arusha airports, we expect a considerable rise in passenger traffic through Songea Airport,” Mombokaleo added.
Works Transport Minister Innocent Bashungwa also emphasized that the renovation has enabled Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) to schedule flights landing at Songea Airport three times a week.
