Pemba Airport in Zanzibar is to get a revamp after Zanzibar's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport signed a $1.9 million deal with Dar al Handash Consultant (Egypt) Limited.

The deal entailed consultancy services for carrying out a feasibility study and detailed engineering design and preparation of tender documents for Pemba Airport.

The planned work will include security fencing and gates, a terminal building, administration building, rescue and firefighting equipment, freight cargo facilities, general aviation hangar and customs and clearance facility.

Other works include aircraft pavements, surface water drainage system, aeronautical ground lighting system, and power and electrical systems, including standby generator.

Mustafa Jumbe, Principal Secretary for the Ministry Infrastructure and Transport, said the project was under the Transport Sector Support Programme – a component funded by the African Development Bank.

"The consultancy services will be implemented into phases: 10 months feasibility study and tendering for Pemba Airport," said Jumbe.

The deal also entails carrying out a Zanzibar Airport Master Plan and a land use plan for Zanzibar’s main airport, Abeid Aman Karume International Airport (AAKIA).

Jumbe said the planned work at AAKIA aimed to outline current deficiencies, requirements and cost of estimates of the civil aviation infrastructure – including air traffic control, airspace and navigation equipment, communications equipment and weather systems.