Tanzania’s aviation growth enhanced by skills involvement

TANZANIA’S aviation industry is at a crossroads. With a strategic location, an expanding tourism sector and a growing economy, the country is poised to become a regional aviation hub.

Yet, from the perspective of Aerotechnics Tanzania, the sector remains relatively insular, with limited global integration and few opportunities for local professionals to gain international experience.

Encouraging signs of growth are emerging. According to the Bank of Tanzania’s 2024 Consolidated Zonal Economic Performance Report, domestic flights rose by 7.1 per cent, while international flights increased by 5.3 per cent compared with the previous year.

Passenger traffic climbed to over 762,000 domestic travellers, up from 714,000 in 2023. Cargo volumes grew 21.7 per cent, highlighting aviation’s expanding role in trade and logistics. The country currently hosts more than 40 registered air operators, spanning commercial airlines, charter services and cargo carriers.

Air Tanzania, the national airline, continues to expand its fleet and route network, connecting key cities such as Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar to regional and international destinations.

Meanwhile, private aviation and low-cost carriers are reshaping domestic travel, creating new opportunities for tourism and business. Infrastructure development is another positive trend. The government has allocated over 2.75tri/- for transport sector improvements in the 2025/26 fiscal year, with significant investments in airport modernisation.

New terminals are under construction in Mwanza, Arusha, Mtwara and Bukoba, while Msalato International Airport in Dodoma is set to transform central Tanzania into a strategic aviation hub.

ALSO READ: Why T-bonds attract more investors despite other options

On the policy front, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has taken proactive steps to strengthen regulatory oversight. Bilateral air service agreements with Hungary and Somalia aim to boost international connectivity.

Tanzania’s participation in the ICAO Facilitation Conference 2025 underscored its commitment to implementing Annex 9 of the Chicago Convention, focusing on passenger facilitation, safety and cross-sector collaboration. Yet challenges persist.

Regulatory bottlenecks, limited access to certified training and a shortage of skilled aviation professionals continue to constrain growth. Operators often struggle with compliance and the lack of harmonised standards across the region hampers cross-border collaboration.

The industry’s inward-facing posture also limits innovation and knowledge exchange. Aerotechnics, an international aviation engineering and training consultancy registered in Tanzania, Kenya and Canada, has positioned itself to address these gaps. The company provides comprehensive support to airlines, leasing companies, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MROs) providers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

Its core services include aircraft transition management, maintenance planning, regulatory compliance and operational oversight. The company’s impact extends beyond engineering.

Aerotechnics invests strategically in human capital, aligning its EASA Part 66 B1/B2 training programmes with industry needs. Instead of following a conventional cycle of training and examination, the firm designs programmes that respond to real-world challenges, bridging the gap between certification and practical competency.

Africa’s youthful population presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Despite increasing numbers of trained aircraft engineers and technicians, aviation job vacancies remain high.

Aerotechnics believes the solution lies in competency-based training. Its programmes emphasise hands-on skills, technical fluency and global readiness. Recognising that not all graduates will enter airline operations, the company also prepares professionals for roles with manufacturers, MROs and OEMs. Workshop-based syllabi and practical modules, developed in collaboration with Tanzanian institutions, ensure both local relevance and international rigour. Partnerships are central to the approach.

Aerotechnics collaborates with training centres in Germany, manufacturers in Canada and global OEMs to expose trainees to advanced methodologies, immersive technologies and industry best practices. The firm also provides safety and compliance support, including human factors training and Safety Management System (SMS) implementation, helping operators align with ICAO and EASA benchmarks.

Technical support services cover line and base maintenance, troubleshooting and aircraft transition oversight, critical for operators managing fleet changes or lease returns. The firm’s presence in Tanzania coincides with a pivotal moment in the industry. In December 2024, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) added Air Tanzania to the EU Air Safety List, citing safety concerns and denying the airline Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation.

Aerotechnics responded by engaging both Air Tanzania and the TCAA, offering technical insight and collaborative support. The company welcomed the partnership between Air Tanzania and Kenya Airways, noting that the secondment of Air Tanzania maintenance staff to Kenya Airways—a carrier with extensive Boeing 787 experience is a strategic move expected to accelerate skills transfer and operational maturity. Aerotechnics has also contributed to broader sector innovation.

At the Transport and Logistics Management Conference hosted by the National Institute of Transport, team members delivered presentations on sustainable aviation fuel from seaweed and the role of artificial intelligence in transport logistics, reflecting the firm’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and academic collaboration. Positioned as a partner in Tanzanian aviation, Aerotechnics brings a global perspective to local challenges.

The company supports the sector with technical expertise, training and strategic insight. From helping airlines optimise maintenance programmes to guiding young technicians through their first certifications, Aerotechnics’ objective is clear: To make aviation safer, smarter and more sustainable. Tanzania’s aviation sector is opening up.

With strategic investment in skills, infrastructure and regulatory alignment, the country is better placed to capitalise on its growth potential and cement its position as a regional aviation hub. The skies over Tanzania are opening. Let us make sure we are ready to fly.