Tanzania’s Aviation Sector Soars: Significant Growth in Flights and Passenger Traffic Reported
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – The nation’s aviation industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and expansion in the quarter ending September 2024, with substantial increases in flight operations, passenger numbers, and cargo volume.
Recent data from the Bank of Tanzania’s Consolidated Zonal Economic Performance Report reveals impressive growth across multiple aviation metrics. International flights increased by 5.3 percent, while domestic flights saw a robust 7.1 percent growth compared to the same period in 2023.
Key Highlights of Tanzania’s Aviation Performance:
– Total International Flights: 8,865
– Total Domestic Flights: 33,767
– Domestic Passenger Volume: 762,104 (up from 714,810 in 2023)
– Cargo Volume: 9,632.2 tonnes (21.7 percent increase)
The central region emerged as a significant contributor to domestic flight expansion, with the Southern Highlands, Lake, and Northern zones also experiencing notable growth. Dar es Salaam continues to lead in both international and domestic passenger traffic.
Economic experts attribute this growth to increasing disposable income, government efforts to promote tourism, and strategic infrastructure developments. The acquisition of modern aircraft and expansion of airport facilities have played crucial roles in supporting this sector’s expansion.
The impressive cargo volume increase, particularly the 21.7 percent growth, highlights the strategic importance of air transport in supporting trade and commercial activities. Despite representing only 1 percent of total cargo volume, air freight accounts for nearly 75 percent of transport value.
Industry analysts remain optimistic about the aviation sector’s future, emphasizing continued government investment and the complementary nature of air and rail transportation in Tanzania’s vast landscape.
As Tanzania continues to invest in infrastructure and tourism, the aviation sector stands poised to be a critical driver of economic development in the coming years.
