Kilimanjaro International Airport is an important airport for tourists visiting the northern safari circuit of Tanzania. It is close to several popular destinations, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, Arusha National Park, Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ol Doinyo Lengai Mountain, Moshi, and Arusha towns. This makes it convenient for travelers to reach these destinations without needing to fly to Nyerere International Airport and endure long drives from Dar es Salaam.
Kilimanjaro International Airport, also known as KIA or JRO, is a public airport located in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. It is operated by Kilimanjaro Airport Development Company. KIA is the largest airport in northern Tanzania by passenger volume and size, covering an area of 110 square kilometers. It is often referred to as “The gateway to Africa’s wildlife heritage.”
Airport Features
The airport has a tarmacked runway that is 3,600 meters long and 45 meters wide. The hangar measures 110 meters long, 23 meters high, and 83 meters wide. Swissport Tanzania provides various services, including:
- Aircraft loading and offloading
- Baggage sorting and delivery
- Air conditioning services
- Passenger check-in, arrival, and boarding
- Load control and flight operations
- Cold room storage and cargo delivery
- Aircraft ground power supply
Tourism and Flights
Kilimanjaro International Airport serves tourists traveling to Tanzania’s northern circuit and Mara region. It handles both regional and international flights, accommodating over 800,000 passengers annually. The airport is situated at an elevation of 894 meters above sea level.
The airport was opened in December 1971. It was constructed with a long-term loan from the Italian government, costing $13 million. Kilimanjaro International Airport was the first airport in Africa to be privatized. It can accommodate large planes, including Boeing 747s and Airbus aircraft, thanks to its 12,000-foot-long runway.
Location and Transport
Kilimanjaro International Airport is located 50 kilometers from Arusha town and 42 kilometers from Moshi town. Airport taxis are available for hire, or your travel company can arrange a pickup. Taxi fares range from $40 to $50 to Moshi or Arusha. Shared shuttles are also available at a lower cost.
Airlines and Passenger Facilities
Over 15 airlines operate scheduled passenger and cargo flights to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The airport offers easy check-ins and check-outs for passengers. Facilities include:
- Gift shops
- Restaurants and coffee shops
- Waiting lounges
In 2014, Kilimanjaro International Airport handled 802,731 passengers. Of these, 45% were international passengers, 17% were in transit, and 38% were domestic passengers. To increase its capacity for passengers and planes, the Netherlands government and the Tanzanian government signed a grant agreement to rehabilitate the airport.
Outbound Flights
There are several outbound flights from Kilimanjaro International Airport to destinations like Doha and Amsterdam, with stopovers in Dar es Salaam. However, airlines on these routes do not have rights to transport passengers between the stopover points.
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