By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, December 16 2025 - Kenyan carriers are preparing to expand operations into Tanzania’s newly upgraded Arusha Airport, a move set to significantly strengthen air connectivity between Kenya and northern Tanzania’s diplomatic, tourism and business hubs.
Three Kenyan airlines, Safarilink, AirKenya and Bluebird Aviation, have filed applications with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) to amend their air service licences in order to begin scheduled and charter services between Nairobi and Arusha.
The development follows the completion of a major Tsh11 billion (about Sh571 million) upgrade at Arusha Airport in June, which included runway extensions and the installation of customs and immigration facilities, enabling the facility to handle international arrivals and departures for the first time.
Arusha, home to the East African Community (EAC) headquarters, the East African Legislative Assembly, and the East African Court of Justice, has previously only been accessible to Kenyan travellers by road or via Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is about 53 kilometres away, often increasing travel time and expense.
Safarilink, one of the primary proponents of the new routes, is seeking regulatory approval to operate from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Arusha and beyond. Safarilink CEO Alex Avedi told reporters that the airline’s expansion is designed to attract business from tourism and regional travel, particularly linking key tourism markets and diplomatic missions across East Africa.
Avedi said the airline plans to increase its fleet to serve additional routes, underlining that the Arusha flights form part of a broader regional growth strategy. Safarilink has already expanded regionally with flights to Kilimanjaro and Entebbe, intensifying competition with established carriers such as Kenya Airways and Jambojet.
AirKenya, which operates a network of domestic destinations in Kenya including Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Nanyuki, has indicated that it plans to begin scheduled flights to Arusha from January 1, 2026, once regulatory approvals are secured.
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Bluebird Aviation, primarily a charter operator, has similarly applied to serve the route from both Wilson and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Kenyan airline interest in Arusha follows broader regional aviation trends. For instance, Tanzanian carrier Flightlink has already launched daily flights between Arusha and Nairobi, with departures from Wilson Airport aimed at strengthening tourism ties between East Africa’s top safari destinations, including the Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
Flightlink Managing Director Munawer Dhirani described the route as an integral part of bolstering cross border tourism, backed by collaborative efforts with the Tanzania Airports Authority and the Tanzania Tourist Board. The Arusha Airport upgrade is also part of a broader strategy by Tanzanian authorities to position the facility as a regional hub ahead of major events such as AFCON 2027, which Tanzania is cohosting with Kenya and Uganda.
Arusha Airport Manager Edgar Mwankuga told The Citizen that runway extensions and terminal enhancements are expected to double passenger capacity and support round the clock operations from early 2026, crucial for accommodating increased regional traffic.
In addition to increasing connectivity for travellers, the new routes could also promote economic integration, tourism growth and business travel across the East African region. Analysts note that direct flights between Nairobi and Arusha will reduce travel time and costs compared with current options, potentially boosting investment in both countries’ northern circuits.
The move by Kenyan carriers to expand into Arusha comes against a backdrop of strengthening regional aviation ties. In July, Kenya Airways and Air Tanzania signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation across operations, maintenance, training and cargo, with executives from both airlines affirming their shared commitment to growing intraAfrican air connectivity.
Kenya Airways Group CEO Allan Kilavuka and Air Tanzania CEO Peter Ulanga said the agreement underscores the importance of regional collaboration for economic growth. With the Arusha Airport now poised to serve as an international gateway, Kenyan carriers’ interest in operating direct flights represents an important evolution in East African aviation, expanding options for business travellers, tourists and diplomatic missions alike, while solidifying Kenya’s role as a key aviation hub in the region.
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