How Z’bar airports put aviation on the global map

IN just five years, Zanzibar’s airports have undergone a dramatic transformation — from revamped terminals and new international routes to global safety awards and record passenger numbers.

The Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA), established under Act No. 8 of 2011, has steered this growth, positioning the isles as a rising aviation hub in East Africa. ZAA is tasked with managing, operating and developing Zanzibar’s airports.

Its responsibilities include ensuring passenger and cargo safety, enforcing aviation regulations and aligning local operations with international aviation standards. According to Mr Seif Abdalla Juma- Director General of ZAA, the period from 2020 to 2025 has seen the authority deliver remarkable results.

He explained that International partnerships have played a key role. DNATA Zanzibar Aviation Services, Emirates Leisure and Segap began operations at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA), bringing world-class services to the archipelago. In 2023, DNATA secured the coveted EU certification (RA3) for cargo handling — a mark of safety and compliance that opened Zanzibar to wider European markets.

“The same year, Emirates Leisure won the global “Airport Food & Beverage Hospitality Award” for service excellence at AAKIA’s Terminal 3.” says Mr Juma during an engagement with the journalists at his office. Zanzibar’s flagship airport also shone internationally, winning the Airports Council International (ACI) award as Africa’s best airport handling under two million passengers annually.

And in June 2023, an ICAO security audit awarded Abeid Amani Karume International Airport ( AAKIA) an “A” grade for safety and security compliance.

He said that passenger numbers, once battered by the pandemic, have rebounded strongly. From 840,599 passengers in 2020 at the height of COVID-19, traffic soared to 2.4 million in 2025. Revenues mirrored the trend, climbing from 11.6bn/- in 2019/20 to 50bn/- in 2024/25.

The recovery has been powered by the arrival of new airlines, including Edelweiss and Eurowings (Germany), Etihad (UAE), Air France (France), FlySafair (South Africa), Hi Fly (Portugal), and Dubai-based cargo carrier Solitair.

The number of airlines serving Zanzibar has risen from 68 in 2020 to 79 in 2025. Zanzibar’s aviation infrastructure is also expanding rapidly. A feasibility study for a new Terminal 4 at AAKIA is underway, while construction of Pemba’s first international airport began in November 2024, with completion expected by May 2027.

Other projects include a new Terminal 2 (completion 2026), upgrades to the VVIP and private jet facilities (completion 2025) and a business centre scheduled to open at AAKIA in November 2025. Three new aviation fuel stations are also planned. Technological modernisation has been a hallmark of ZAA’s five-year record.

New passenger boarding bridges and visual docking guidance systems now streamline operations at AAKIA.

Modern X-ray machines for luggage screening have been installed at airports in Unguja and Pemba. Navigation and safety have been reinforced with the installation of an Instrument Landing System (ILS) to help pilots land safely in poor visibility, and portable runway lighting has finally enabled night flights at Pemba airport — an upgrade expected to unlock major economic and security benefits.

The director general says that hosting the Africa aviation development summit, AviaDev, in June 2025 further cemented Zanzibar’s status as a serious aviation player.

“With projects worth billions of shillings in the pipeline and steady growth in passenger traffic, Zanzibar’s airports are set for even greater heights,” he said.

As workers at the construction site also join the Authority to celebrate its achievements, its vision remains clear: secure, modern and competitive airports that connect Zanzibar to the world. Mr Omar Hussein Magota, an employee of Estim Construction Company, currently working on expansion projects at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA), expressed gratitude to the government for investing in large-scale infrastructure projects.

He emphasized that the airport development initiative under President Hussein Ali Mwinyi has not only transformed Zanzibar’s aviation facilities but also created much-needed employment opportunities for local people.

“We thank the government, and particularly President Mwinyi, for these projects which have provided jobs for us and supported many families,” he said.

According to Mr Magota, the ongoing works at AAKIA demonstrate how government-led investments in transport and tourism infrastructure directly benefit ordinary citizens. He added that young professionals and skilled workers in construction are gaining valuable experience through such projects, which strengthens Zanzibar’s local capacity to handle future developments.

Zanzibar’s leadership stresses that such investments are part of a deliberate push to accelerate development. Minister of Infrastructure, Communication and Transport, Dr Khalid Salum Mohamed, said the progress at Zanzibar’s airports reflects the country’s broader growth trajectory.

“Zanzibar is moving faster in development, and our transport sector is at the heart of this transformation,” he said.

Dr Mohamed emphasized that the expansion of airports in Unguja and Pemba not only strengthens tourism and trade but also creates direct and indirect jobs for Zanzibaris. He noted that President Mwinyi’s administration views modern infrastructure as the foundation for attracting investors, facilitating international connectivity, and driving inclusive economic growth.