Plaza Premium Group opens its first lounge in Tanzania at Julius Nyerere International Airport

DAR ES SALAAM: PLAZA Premium Group (PPG), a global provider of airport hospitality services, has officially opened its first Plaza Premium Lounge in Tanzania at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA)- Terminal 3, in Dar es Salaam.

Located near Gate 6 in the international departures area, the lounge spans 336 square metres and can accommodate up to 86 guests at a time. Facilities include comfortable seating, showers, food and beverage services, workstations, internet access, charging points for electronic devices and multi-faith prayer rooms.

Speaking at the launch, Plaza Premium Group’s Commercial Vice President for EMEA, Anis Jmour, said the lounge’s opening in Tanzania marked an important step in the company’s expansion across East Africa, while providing an opportunity to bring its international hospitality experience closer to travellers using JNIA.

“The opening of Plaza Premium Lounge in Tanzania is an important milestone in our expansion across Africa. We recognise the importance of the Tanzanian market in connecting business and leisure travel, and we aim to provide travellers with services that meet their needs before they continue their journeys,” said Jmour.

Meanwhile, the Director of Julius Nyerere International Airport, Bertha Bankwa, said the arrival of Plaza Premium Lounge further reflected the growth of Tanzania’s aviation sector and the importance of continuously improving passenger services as travel demand increases.

“The arrival of this service demonstrates how our aviation sector continues to grow and attract investors bringing new services to travellers. As passenger numbers increase, it is equally important to continue improving their experience at our airport to ensure they receive services that meet their needs,” said Bankwa.

This growth is also reflected in aviation statistics. According to Tanzania in Figures 2025, published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) using data from the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), the number of domestic and international air passengers across the country’s airports reached approximately 8.11 million in 2025, up from 7.38 million in 2024. JNIA alone handled approximately 2.92 million passengers during the same period.

The growth in air travel aligns with Tanzania’s position as a major tourism destination and a market offering business opportunities. From the Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar, Tanzania continues to attract visitors from around the world, making the services travellers receive when arriving in or departing from the country an important part of their overall travel experience.

Against this backdrop, Plaza Premium Group is bringing its international experience to Tanzania. With nearly 30 years of experience in airport hospitality, the company pioneered the independent airport lounge concept in 1998. Today, it operates across more than 600 airports in over 150 countries, serving more than 30 million passengers annually.

As it enters new markets, the company also seeks to reflect the culture and identity of each destination in the experience it offers. Through its Proudly Local approach, Plaza Premium Group aims to combine international service standards with local flavours. At its Dar es Salaam lounge, this is reflected in a menu featuring Tanzanian dishes and snacks, alongside selected locally available products.

Plaza Premium Lounge Dar es Salaam is open daily. Travellers can book in advance through www.plazapremiumlounge.com or purchase entry directly at the lounge.