TANZANIA AIRPORT AUTHORITY HAS BIG PLANS FOR MBEYA’S SONGWE AIRPORT
(Posted 21st October 2015)
One of the positive legacies left by the Kikwete presidency – Tanzania goes to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president after Jakaya Kikwete served his two terms of office – is the modernization of the country’s aviation infrastructure.
Mbeya’s new Songwe Airport (ICAO four letter code HTGW – no IATA three letter code appears available as yet though the old Mbeya airport’s three letter code is MBI), by NOTAM, short for Notice to Air Men, was officially declared open for traffic as of the 13th of December 2012 and the now double daily flights by Fastjet from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya have opened up the area like never before. Located at an elevation of 1.345 metres above sea level does the airport already have a 3.330 metre long runway, enough for the commonly used jets in today’s aviation landscape.
The Tanzania Airport Authority has confirmed that, very likely as a result of Fastjet’s success on the route – the airline launched their flights in November 2013 – the airport will see further investments and by the end of 2016 should be able to become an international airport. The work scope includes new approach lights to allow for night operations and an added passenger terminal building, which will lift the capacity of the airport to half a million per year. Work started in June and is expected, timely release of funds provided, by mid to late next year.
