Arusha Airport in Tanzania, popular for charter flights for tourists, will soon be back to full operation after a TZS6.3 billion (€2.4m) expansion.

The airport, located on the outskirts of Arusha, is one of the oldest in the country and work has been carried out recently to extend its runway to accommodate larger aircraft.

The expansion includes construction and rehabilitation of the main apron, which was completed at a cost of TZS1.9 billion (€737 150).

Also completed is the upgrade of the remote apron and parallel taxiway, where TZS968 million (€375 545) was spent for civil works.

Another TZS640 million (€248 280) was spent to upgrade the parking yard.

A report provided to The Citizen Tanzania by the Arusha Regional Commissioner’s office mentions other civil works at the facility, including the construction of a terminal building at a cost of TZS2.8 billion (€1.1m), which is now 70% complete.

“The upgrading of the airport will boost tourism,” noted the report, which was recently presented before stakeholders. Expansion of the airport has been under way since 2020/21 and is expected to be completed next financial year.

Arusha Airport is among the 59 airports managed, maintained, and operated by the Tanzania Airports Authority.

During a recent visit to the airport, the Deputy Minister for Works and Transport Atupele Mwakibete said plans were under way to make the facility operate 24 hours.

“This has to be preceded by the installation of floodlights along the runway. Currently, the airport operates for only 12 hours during the day,” he said.

The current expansion will extend the runway to 1 860m.