Tanzania air traffic in 2022 came closer to the traffic handled before the COVID-19 pandemic. The comparison shows that passenger and cargo numbers increased significantly while aircraft movements were below pre-pandemic levels.

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has released data showing cargo and passenger traffic in 2022. The cargo handled last year surpassed pre-pandemic levels, while the number of passengers flying through Tanzania increased by 2%.

Cargo and passenger traffic

According to the TCAA data, the amount of cargo handled last year surpassed the pre-pandemic level by 32% to reach 35,130 tonnes. This is a 13.4% increase compared to the 30,974 tonnes of cargo handled in 2021.

Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International Airport sees most of Tanzania's air traffic. During the pandemic, air traffic was reduced drastically, and the movement of passengers was much lower than that of cargo. This can be attributed to the movement of COVID-19 vaccines and relief to and from the country.

Passenger traffic in 2022 surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 2% to reach 5.7 million. Compared to the previous year, which saw 3.8 million passengers, this is a 49.2% increase. However, not all numbers were positive. The aircraft movement at Tanzanian airports is still 15.4% below pre-pandemic levels.

The increase in travel and tourism

Although airlines have not resumed normal operations to and from Tanzania, aircraft movement in 2022 increased by 28.5% to 19,115 compared to the previous year.

Air Tanzania Managing Director Ladislaus Matindi attributed the air traffic hike to the Tanzania: Royal Tour film. This is a documentary in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan guides viewers through the great East African nation. It was an effort to showcase Tanzania to the world, attracting numerous tourists.

According to Business Insider Africa, Precision Air Managing Director Patrick Mwanri noted that the outstanding aviation performance resulted from the global market reopening after two years of restrictions and protocols. He said;

“All countries have now opened up their borders and eased the travel restrictions, which allowed more passengers to travel freely. Once other constraints brought by the aftermath of the pandemic are addressed, we hope for a better future."

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More aircraft movement in 2023

Aircraft movement, cargo, and passenger traffic are expected to increase in 2023 as new airlines plan to fly to Tanzania and as Air Tanzania plans to expand its fleet. The flag carrier expects to add four new aircraft to its fleet of 12 by the end of 2023, which will boost national air travel.

Air Tanzania is awaiting the delivery of its first Boeing 767-300F, which was expected to be delivered before the end of Q1 2023. The freighter would significantly increase the airline's cargo capacity as a number of its aircraft are grounded for various reasons. The freighter was spotted earlier this month at the Boeing factory at Paine Field.

Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia and Tanzania were connected by a direct flight for the first time. Saudia launched its first flight from Jeddah to Dar es Salaam on an Airbus A320. The carrier will operate four weekly flights between the two cities.

This year could see a lot of post-pandemic recoveries for airports and airlines around the world. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects a return to profitability for the global airline industry as airlines continue to cut losses stemming from the effects of the pandemic on their 2022 performance.

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Source: Business Insider Africa