Tanzania upgrades aircraft maintenance capacity at KIA

MOSHI: THE Tanzanian government has completed the construction and upgrade of aircraft maintenance infrastructure at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), a move aimed at strengthening Tanzania’s aviation sector, reducing reliance on foreign maintenance services, and improving the efficiency of air transport operations.

The project was implemented by Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) at a cost of 2bn/-, increasing the maintenance facility’s capacity to service up to five aircraft simultaneously. The upgrades included improvements to the aircraft hangar, lighting systems, engineers’ workspaces, and the procurement of training equipment for aircraft maintenance engineers.

Speaking during the project update, Deputy Minister for Transport David Kihenzile said the facility will enable 16 ATCL aircraft, along with other aircraft operating in Tanzania, to receive maintenance services locally.

He noted that the initiative will reduce the amount of foreign currency spent on overseas maintenance while creating employment opportunities for Tanzanians.

KIA Maintenance Manager, Lucas Tendela, said the maintenance hangar can accommodate up to five aircraft at the same time and that between five and six aircraft were serviced during the 2024/25 financial year.

ATCL’s Director of Human Resources and Administration added that the government is continuing to invest in the aviation workforce by purchasing modern training equipment and expanding training facilities to enhance professional skills within the sector.

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Beyond aviation infrastructure, the government is also improving employee welfare through the renovation of 38 staff houses built in the 1990s within the KIA area.

 The project, valued at approximately 5bn/-, is intended to provide accommodation for ATCL employees who have faced housing challenges for years. Officials say the completion of the houses will help reduce housing shortages, high rental costs, and security concerns affecting many workers.

Humphrey Soka who is the Contructor said that,the overall improvement program has now reached 77 percent completion, with the remaining work focused mainly on finishing the buildings. The entire project is expected to be completed during the next financial year.

The developments reflect the commitment of the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan to modernize Tanzania’s aviation sector, improve service delivery, strengthen local technical capacity, and enhance working conditions for aviation personnel.