- Zanzibar invests in improving Isle’s aviation industry as President Hussein Mwinyi commends expansion works at AAKIA
- Construction underway to improve efficiency at Terminal 3 AAKIA
- Zanzibar’s AAKIA recognized for winning international Award
Aviation industry and tourism in Zanzibar
Aviation industry is the bedrock of the tourism sector in Zanzibar, it is dependent on a successful airline industry, and as a tourism destination having frequent flights from top international airlines is the key to growth.
As an archipelago off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar is made up of three main islands, that is; Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia Island.
To strategically grow its tourism sector, all three islands have their airport, the largest and busiest is the Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume Airport. The airport is named after Abeid Amani Karume, the island’s first president.
Zanzibar is working on the construction of a new passenger Terminal building (Terminal 3) at the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA). This is part of the island’s ongoing strategy to grow its tourism sector and to do that, it must improve air travel services.
While work on Terminal Three has begun, Zanzibar has also invested in the reconstruction and development of the passenger Terminal Two building (Terminal 2) which is currently 16,000 square meters.
When completed, Terminal Three will have the capacity to serve more than 1,300,000 passengers per year. It will also have a parking lot capable of accommodating more than 200 vehicles at a time.
Announcing the construction work at terminal three, Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi said; “The project includes the construction of a business center: shops, restaurants, banking, and office services, construction of a food storage, car parking, and construction of new aviation fuel service centers for Oilcom, GBP and Lake Oil companies.”
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The symposium was themed “The Future of Aviation: Maintaining Resilient, Sustainable, Innovative, Safe and Secure Aviation Systems,” and attracted aviation stakeholders from around the world.
The president seized the opportunity to invite investors to the sector announcing that aviation in Zanzibar is now open to Public, Private Partnership (PPP) for all its airports and flight services as well.
“The government alone cannot develop the sector, we urge the private sector to invest in aviation both in bringing in airplanes as well as setting up supportive services for the aviation industry,” the president said.
Acknowledging Zanzibar’s reliance on tourism, the president said; “Since we now heavily rely on tourism for the country’s economic development, aviation is the main driver of these economic growths, which have led to the increase in the number of tourists and turn boost trade.”
The president also made public his pleasure with the ongoing construction of the new passenger terminal building which he described as ‘working with great efficiency to provide air travel services in Zanzibar.’
To ensure development in the entire industry, the president also announced the construction and expansion of the Pemba Airport. Here, Zanzibar is looking to extend the length of the airport’s runway from 1,525 meters to 2,510 metres, airport.
Currently, the airport in Pemba is capable of accommodating two large airplanes Code C (B 737-800) and 8 small Code B aircraft.
In Pemba, the president said the new passenger terminal building that measures 9,170 square meters is to be expanded to increase its capacity. Similarly, in Nungwi, Zanzibar is investing in the construction of a new airport again the goal is to increase the island’s capacity to receive larger number of tourists.
The airports in Zanzibar, the president said, meet the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (COSSOA) requirements. He said administration of these airports will be in harmony with international aviation regulations for security and efficiency.
Along with the runway and terminal infrastructures, the government of Zanzibar is also investing in the installation of ‘Very High Frequency (VHF)’ radio systems, recorders and an Instrument Landing System (ILS) which is been installed at the Abeid Aman Karume International Airport to improve services and communications.
As of last year, Tanzania, that been both the Mainland and Island, scored 87 per cent in the International Safety Audit that was conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume Airport airport has two terminals, these are Terminal 2 for domestic flights and Terminal 3 for international flights.
The Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume Airport is strategically located for ease of access. It is located only 8 kilometres from the city centre of Zanzibar. By car, this is a mere 20 minutes’ drive to and from the city centre
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport wins international award
Voted for by airport customers, the award covers 30 performance indicators related to passenger experience taking into consideration such factors as ease of way-finding at the airport as well as the check-in process and shopping experience at the airport.
The airport’s award is the most recent coming just over a year after the Zanzibar hub joined ACI’s ASQ programme.
The Egis/SEGAP commendation also notes that the AAKIA is in line with the ASQ framework and the airport has implemented what it describes as ‘a package of measures to enhance the passenger experience.’
This ‘package of measures’ to improve customer experience at the airport includes setting up a dedicated customer service team charged with the core mission of conducting passenger surveys and assisting customers within and around the airport.
The customer service team is also tasked with identifying and reporting problems with operations. It is also responsible to ensure all services within the terminals are flawless and every inch is spotless in line with international standards.
Notably, AAKIA has also opened new services for customers at Terminal 3, including duty-free and retail shops and restaurants which operate under Emirates Leisure Retail.
Director of Aerodromes at AAKIA for Egis/ SEGAP, Rob Williams commended the authorities at AAKIA saying; “This achievement celebrates our collective teamwork and our commitment to excellence in terms of customer experience. We are honoured to receive this recognition which raises the profile of Zanzibar Airport and the islands as a destination.”
