Domestic air travel extends growth momentum

DAR ES SALAAM: DOMESTIC air travel continued to expand in the first quarter this year with passenger numbers reaching a record high for the period as rising demand for business and leisure travel offset a slowdown in international traffic.

The number of domestic passengers increased to 740,151 in the quarter ending March from 589,140 in the corresponding quarter last year, according to the Bank of Tanzania’s Consolidated Zonal Economic Performance Report.

The total also edged above the 734,816 passengers recorded in the preceding quarter, underscoring resilient demand for air transport despite seasonal fluctuations.

According to the report, domestic flight movements rose to 25,910, compared with 24,167 a year earlier, reflecting continued expansion in air connectivity across the country.

Dar es Salaam remained the country’s busiest aviation hub, handling 347,880 domestic passengers and 9,231 flights, nearly half of all domestic travellers during the quarter.

The Northern Zone followed with 180,330 passengers, while the Lake Zone served 128,629. The Southern Highlands and South Eastern zones handled 37,254 and 20,899 passengers, respectively.

The BoT report shows that the international travel, however, softened after a strong final quarter of 2025. International passenger numbers declined to 501,650 from 536,480 in the preceding quarter, although they remained broadly stable compared with 508,733 recorded a year earlier.

International flight movements also fell to 8,314 from 9,329 in the previous quarter.

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Dar es Salaam continued to dominate international operations, accounting for 359,238 passengers and 5,395 international flights, reaffirming its position as the country’s principal international gateway.

Air cargo volumes also showed resilience. Freight handled through airports reached 10,015.2 tonnes, up from 9,390.8 tonnes in the corresponding quarter last year, although below the 10,854.8 tonnes recorded in the previous quarter.

The figures suggest domestic aviation continues to benefit from improving economic activity and growing mobility, while the rebound in cargo volumes points to sustained trade and logistics demand despite softer international passenger traffic.