Arusha Airport

Arusha Airport is a domestic airport situated in Arusha city, a commercial and tourist center for visitors exploring the northern safari circuit of Tanzania, in the northern area of the Republic of Tanzania. Arusha Airport, designated by IATA code ARK and ICAO code HTAR, is one of the 59 airports administered, maintained, and operated by the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), classified under Group II category. Arusha Airport functions exclusively as a domestic airport, situated in the western region of Arusha city, approximately 7 kilometers from the city center. Arusha Airport is situated at an altitude of 4,567 feet above mean sea level, with an average temperature of 23 degrees Celsius.

Arusha Airport

History of Arusha Airport

Arusha Airport was established in 1956 by Colonel Grey, a prominent farmer engaged in the cultivation of coffee and sorghum in the regions of Burka and Mateves. Upon gaining independence in 1961, Tanganyika officially transferred control of Arusha Airport to the Tanzanian government. Arusha Airport was previously operated by East African Airways; however, following the dissolution of the East African Community, management was transferred to the Agricultural Department in 1977. Since the establishment of the Tanzania Airports Authority, Arusha Airport has been managed by this entity. As to ICAO rules, Annex 14, Aerodrome Design Manual, Arusha Airport is designated as a code 3C airport.

Arusha Airport features a runway measuring 1860 meters in length, 30 meters in width, and oriented at 09 and 27 degrees. Arusha Airport features five taxiways: Taxiway A, B, C, D, and P, the latter being a parallel taxiway measuring 500 meters in length and 7.5 meters in width, connecting the remote apron to runway 09 and Taxiway A. Arusha Airport features two primary aprons, including;

  • The primary apron, encompassing an area of 15,000 square meters, has the potential to accommodate a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 simultaneously.
  • Remote apron encompassing 8,925 square meters, designed for the parking of aircraft weighing less than 12 tons.
  • Arusha Airport can accommodate up to 219 passengers in the departure area simultaneously.
  • Arusha Airport functions exclusively for 12 hours daily, from sunrise to sunset. Arusha Airport is not operational during nighttime hours.
  • At present, Arusha Airport is serviced by merely eight airlines offering regular flights to and from the airport. These encompass;
  • Air Tanzania. Air Tanzania has arranged flights to and from Arusha Airport and Dar es Salaam.
  • Precision Air. Precision Air has arranged flights from Arusha Airport to both Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.

Arusha Airport

Maritime Aviation. Coastal Aviation operates flights to and from Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Kigali, Mafia Island, Lake Manyara National Park, Mikumi National Park, Pemba Island, Ruaha National Park, Selous Game Reserve, Serengeti National Park, Seronera, Tanga, Tarangire National Park, and Zanzibar.

  1. Air Excel. This conducts flights to Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Serengeti National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park.
  2. Regional Aviation. Conducts regular flights to Kilimanjaro, Lake Manyara, and Zanzibar.
  3. Tropical Atmosphere. Conducts regular flights to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
  4. Safari Plus. Conducts scheduled flights to Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Park.
  5. Zan Air. Operates flights to Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, Pemba, and Zanzibar Island.

As Arusha city serves as a tourism hub, the majority of travelers utilize Arusha Airport for transit to other places, including Serengeti, Zanzibar, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and numerous others. This is typically an alternative for those who want to fly rather than drive for 2-8 hours to various safari areas in Tanzania, such as the 7-8 hour trip to Serengeti National Park.

Arusha Airport offers several services, including retail outlets, ground handling, extensive parking, refueling stations from Puma Energy Tanzania Ltd, complimentary Wi-Fi, and several hotels for accommodation if required. Hotels near Arusha Airport available for booking include Grace Land Hotel, Arusha Crown Hotel, Silver Hotel, Noura Springs Hotel, and Mount Meru Hotel, among numerous more.

Are you traveling from any region of Tanzania to reach Arusha city for your eagerly awaited safari vacation in the northern safari circuit? Your destination should be Arusha Airport. Alternatively, you may arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where your tour operator should facilitate your transfer to commence your eagerly awaited Tanzania safari tour. Coordinate with your reliable tour operator to determine the optimal routes to your numerous destinations.

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