Air traffic in Tanzania is picking up, led by strong growth at Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport, as passenger travel and cargo activity recover, according to data from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT).
In its consolidated zonal economic performance report, the central bank said airport traffic rose across several regions, reflecting improving mobility, trade flows and tourism-related activity. Dar es Salaam accounted for the largest share of the rebound, driven by increased international and domestic flights as well as higher cargo volumes.
The BoT said the rise in air traffic points to strengthening economic activity, particularly in transport, logistics and trade-linked services, as Tanzania continues to recover from global disruptions that had weighed on travel and supply chains in recent years.
Cargo handling showed notable gains, supported by higher exports of minerals, agricultural produce and manufactured goods, alongside increased imports of industrial inputs and consumer products through Dar es Salaam, the country’s main commercial hub.
Passenger numbers also increased, benefiting from renewed airline capacity, growing tourism inflows and stronger business travel. Dar es Salaam remains Tanzania’s principal aviation gateway, handling the bulk of international arrivals and freight movements.
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The central bank said other airports also recorded improvements, though at a more moderate pace, reflecting uneven recovery across regions depending on economic activity, infrastructure and connectivity.
Aviation sector performance is closely watched by policymakers as an indicator of broader economic momentum, particularly for trade, tourism and services. The BoT noted that the recovery in air transport complements gains seen in ports, road haulage and rail freight.
Tanzania has been investing in airport upgrades and logistics infrastructure as part of efforts to position itself as a regional transport and trade hub for East and Central Africa. Authorities expect improved connectivity to support exports, tourism revenues and job creation.
The BoT said overall economic activity remained resilient, supported by mining, agriculture and services, while external trade continued to benefit from stronger commodity prices and rising transport volumes.
