How Zanzibar Airports Authority achieves its goals in five years
ZANZIBAR: OVER the past five years, Zanzibar’s aviation sector has experienced remarkable growth and transformation.
Under the stewardship of the Eighth Phase Government led by the President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, the Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA) has become a model institution in managing aviation infrastructure and services.
These achievements have elevated Zanzibar’s global standing, boosted its economy and strengthened its position as a hub for tourism and trade in the Indian Ocean region.
Zanzibar has seen a dramatic increase in air passenger traffic. In 2020, the number of passengers stood at 840,599. By 2021, this figure had risen to 1.2 million, reaching 1.75 million in 2022, and surpassing 2.1 million in 2023.
In 2024, passenger numbers grew further to 2.4 million, with projections for 2025 expected to exceed 2.8 million. This more than threefold growth in just five years reflects the rapid expansion of Zanzibar’s aviation and tourism sectors.
The number of airlines serving Zanzibar has also risen significantly, from 68 in 2020 to 78 in 2024. By 2025, at least 38 airlines are expected to operate direct flights to Zanzibar. This growth has positioned Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA) among Africa’s top ten busiest airports for direct flights in 2025, ranking ninth overall.
ZAA’s progress has not gone unnoticed globally. In 2023 and 2024, the authority received several prestigious international awards, including: FAB Conference & Awards 2023 – Best Transformation in Airport Food & Beverage, recognising innovation in catering services at AAKIA.
Other awards include ‘Airports Council International (ACI) 2023’ – AAKIA, was honoured as one of the best airports worldwide in the category of airports handling under two million passengers annually.
‘RA3 Certification by DNATA, 2023’ – Issued by the European Union, allowing Zanzibar to export air cargo safely to European markets without restrictions; and ‘FAB Conference & Awards 2024’ – AAKIA’s “Spice Bar” inside Terminal 3 ranked among the world’s top ten airport dining outlets are other awards to ZAA.
“Our government is committed to ensuring that our airports are modern, safe and efficient, serving both passengers and businesses. We want Zanzibar to remain an international attraction for tourism and trade, with aviation as a driver of economic growth,” said Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi.
According to ZAA Director General Mr Seif Abdalla Juma, the authority has successfully built partnerships with major international organisations that include Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR), which has enhanced passenger experiences with world-class duty-free shops and restaurants at Terminal 3, boosting tourism and connectivity.
SEGAP, with extensive airport management experience in Africa, has supported staff training, administrative reforms and infrastructure expansion; DNATA Zanzibar Aviation Services Ltd which provides ground-handling services that have attracted more international airlines; and ICAO Security Audit 2023, AAKIA earned an “A” grade for compliance with global aviation safety and security standards.
“These collaborations have raised Zanzibar’s global profile and drawn more international carriers from Asia, Europe and the Middle East,” he said.
DG Abdalla says in the past five years, ZAA has invested heavily in infrastructure upgrades, particularly at AAKIA: VVIP & Private Jet Terminal Renovation – Ongoing since May 2024, expected completion in October 2025. Cost: USD 5.8 million, fully government-funded.
New Passenger Terminal (TB2) – Construction began in December 2023, scheduled for completion in June 2026. Capacity: 1.4 million passengers annually. Cost: USD 32 million, government-funded.
Business Centre at AAKIA – Under construction since May 2024, set to open November 2025.
