The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority has temporarily suspended approval for all international flights operations at Arusha Airport, in what was described to be ‘until further notice!’
As it happens, the Arusha Airport is presently still not designated to operate as an international point of entry or exit, at least according to an authoritative dispatch reaching The Tanzania Times.
As far as the latest communication from the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) is concerned, the Arusha Airport, located in Kisongo area, is licensed strictly for domestic operations and not otherwise.
The labelled ‘Important Notice Regarding International Operations at Arusha Airport,’ members of the Tanzania Aviation Operators’ Association (TAOA) have been informed of the latest updates regarding the claimed ‘International flight operations at Arusha Airport.’
In the official statement distributed by the Tanzania Aviation Operators’ Association’s Executive Secretary, Lathifa Sykes explained the current Status of the newly refurbished terminal to be still a domestic airport.
The implication therefore is that, the TCAA has grounded all international flights from operating at the Arusha Airport.
Even new applications to that effect have been put on hold until specific conditions regarding the terminal are fulfilled, including upgrading the airport’s license to Category B or A.
The other condition is for an official publication in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) declaring the terminal to be an international entry and exit point.
Also required is the notification to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) through the Aeronautical Information and Regulation and Control (AIRAC) about the airport’s new international designation.
In addition, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority wants coordination with immigration, customs, public health, and relevant stakeholders, as well as the revision of Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) to include Arusha Airport.
As for the current Alternative, the operators who are intending to run international flights have been advised to use the usual Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) until the described conditions are met.
The official release says the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, together with Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) and relevant agencies are actively addressing the necessary requirements and will provide further updates.
A darling for tourists, the Arusha Airport has always been the busiest terminal in Northern Tanzania.