Coastal Aviation advised this week that Mashado Airstrip in Pangani, Tanzania, will be closed to all traffic, effective immediately.

Sichile Mary-Luiza Msamati, Reservations and Sales Consultant at Coastal Aviation, told Tourism Update that Mashado would be closed until further notice, as “the airstrip is not fit for landing at the moment”.

All Pangani traffic will be redirected to the Kwajoni Airstrip, which is a few kilometres away and closer to most of the lodges in the area.

Kwajoni airstrip has already been checked by Coastal Aviation’s Ops department and found to be compliant with all safety standards.

Pangani/Kwajoni (KWJ) is already available in the booking system and the schedule will be updated accordingly.  

Taxes at Mashado airstrip were $15, and at Kwajoni are $13, therefore any passengers already booked to/from Mashado airstrip will be entitled to a refund of the tax difference. The slight price difference is due to Coastal Aviation introducing a $15 fee for passengers arriving or departing Mashado, earmarked for the upkeep and maintenance of the airstrip.

This comes after an announcement made in February by Coastal Aviation regarding the discontinuation of the following flights, effective November 1:

• Nairobi (NBO) to Serengeti via Musoma: CQ271.
• Serengeti to Nairobi (NBO) via Musoma: CQ272.
• Kilimanjaro (JRO) to Manyara and Serengeti, connecting with Safarilink from Nairobi (WIL): (CQ261).