Tanzania, United Republic of
2.2.5 Tanzania Kigoma National Airport
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Airport Overview

Kigoma Airport is a national airport located in the western part of Tanzania. The airport is facing some challenges due to the poor condition of the infrastructure and the lack of capacity in terms of handling equipment and storage space. In addition, the airport apron is small and unpaved. The refueling point does not have the capacity to handle more than one aircraft at the same time.

Kigoma Airport is using Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) system to guide the aircraft but they are implementing an Area Navigation (R–NAV) system.

Airport Location and Contact

Country

Tanzania

Province or District

Kigoma

Nearest Town or City with Distance from Airport

Ujiji, Kigoma (5.5 km)

Airport’s Complete Name

Kigoma Airport

Latitude

-4.88611111

Longitude

29.67083333

Elevation (ft and m)

RWY 15 (2670FT AMSL)

RWY 33 (2667FT AMSL)

IATA Code

TKQ

ICAO Code

HTKA

Managing Company or Airport Authority

Tanzania Airport Authority (TAA)

Management Contact Person

P.O Box 764, Kigoma.

Tel: +255 767 36 3386/ +255 713 363 384

Tel: +255 28 280 2857/8

Open From (hours)

07:00 (depend on sunrise and sunset)

Open To (hours)

18:00 (depend on sunrise and sunset)

Airport Picture 

The areas which identified in the Airport Picture are as follows:

  • Kigoma Airport is surrounded by settlements. Most of the government offices are located at Kigoma town.
    • There is a passenger terminal building and administration buildings
    • Parking areas
    • Apron
    • Also, the map shows a mountain which is an obstacle.
    • There is roads which are rough roads
    • Tower met
    • Runway

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

The two main air companies operating at the Kigoma Airport are Air Tanzania and Precision Air. Their operations at Kigoma Airport are oriented on carrying passengers. The companies have timetable (schedule) for landing at Kigoma Airport. Other air companies which are operating at Kigoma Airport have fleets composed of small aircraft:

    • TANAPA
    • ZANTAS AIR
    • AORIC AIR SERVICES LIMITED
    • COASTLE TRAVELS LIMITED

For more information on airport contacts, please see the following link: 4.5 Tanzania Airport Company Contact List

Information on some aviation service providers can be found at: http://www.azfreight.com/

Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator 

The infrastructure is old and the equipment is limited, which impedes the airport to meet the demand. Efforts are being made to improve the airport performance which, amongst others, include a project being jointly implemented by the TAA and TANROADS.

Performance for 2016


Per Year

Per Month

Per Day

Total Aircraft Movements

1,537

128

4

Total Passengers

26,681

2,223

72

Total Capacity of the Airport (MT)

410.42 acres

-

-

Current Activity of the Airport (MT)

410.42 acres

-

-

Current use by Humanitarian Flights (UNHAS)

144 times

12 times

3 times per week

Runways

The runways are in good condition. They have been constructed according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. They can be used even during raining season without problems.

Runway #1 - 15

Runway Dimensions

1800 m x 45m

Orientation

North

Surface

Tarmac Strength: PCN38/F/B/X/T

 

Runway #2 - 33

Runway Dimensions

1800 m x 45 m

Orientation

South

Surface

Tarmac Strength: PCN/38/F/B/X/T

Helicopter Pad(s)

No helipads available at Kigoma Air port

Helipad #1

Present

No

Largest Helicopter that can Land

n/a

Width and Length (m)

n/a

Surface

n/a

Airport Infrastructure Details

The level of maintenance is high since the infrastructure are old. The airport authority has a contract for the maintenance with a company, Aroche Systecs Investico Ltd.

Customs

Yes

JET A-1 fuel

Yes

Immigration

Yes

AVGAS 100

No

Terminal Building

Yes

Single Point Refuelling

Yes

Passenger Terminal

Yes

Air Starter Units

No

Cargo terminal

No

Ground Power (mobile)

Yes

PaxTransport to Airfield

No

Ground Handling Services

Yes

Control Tower

Yes

Latrine Servicing

No

Weather Facilities

Yes

Fire Fighting Category (ICAO)

Yes

Catering Services

No

De-icing Equipment

No

Base Operating Room

Yes

Parking Ramp Lighting

Yes

Airport Radar

No

Approach & Runway Lights

No

NDB

Yes

VOR

No

ILS

No



Airport Operating Details

Operating Details

Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Bulk Cargo

n/a

Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Pallet

AN-12

Total Aircraft Parking Area (m²)

7154m²

Storage Area(m3and MT)

440m²

Handling Equipment

Elevators / Hi Loaders

No

Max Capacity (MT)

N/A

Max Height (m)

N/A

Loading Ramps

No

Other Comments

AN-12 - This was the last largest aircraft that has landed at Kigoma airport (2015) in order to deliver items for the Burundi refugees. Since the airport doesn’t have the handling capacity to offload an aircraft of this size, the airport authority borrows a crane from the Kigoma Port.

Customs Guidance

The Customs Department operates 12 hours a day, and comes to the Airport upon special request. Based on the Customs Act (Cap. 27), the customs officers are empowered to do as follows:

  • Prevent the entry of prohibited goods, restricted goods concealed or hidden in person, baggage or the aircraft;
  • Surveillance of arriving/departing passengers for detecting any drug trafficking or smuggling;
  • Give full consideration in adoption of the Customs Convention on the International Transit of Goods (ITI) adopted by the Customs Cooperation Council (now World Customs Organization) on 7 June 1971, in order to realize the benefit of standardized customs treatment of containerised cargo;
  • When a passenger’s belongings are subjected to charges/excise duties, a custom officer must adhere to a goal of total time of 10 minutes per passenger;
  • Accordingly with ICAO Annex 9 chap.3 part 3.28 recommendations, the Customs at Kigoma Airport shall:
  • cause as little inconveniences as possible for the passengers and avoid causing any delay in the traffic in collecting these charges;
  • Not impose any extra formality on the passenger at the time of his departure;
  • Goods destined for export but without export documents shall be detained by the Customs Department and issued an official document until the respective export documents are submitted;
  • Take suitable measures to inform the passenger in advance of the existence of any charges.

For more information on customs in Tanzania, please see the following link: 1.3 Tanzania Customs Information.

Storage Facilities

Currently the airport of Kigoma doesn’t have warehouses for storage of goods but there is a large open area that can be used. This space is mainly dedicated for humanitarian aircrafts that land and need temporary storage for their goods.

Airfield Costs 

Navigation Charges

Navigation charges at the Kigoma Airport depend on local or foreign registered aircraft.

All aircrafts landing in Tanzania are required to settle landing and parking charges, unless an arrangement has been reached with the airport operator for credit facility or monthly billing. Airport operators must settle charges within 30 days of the date of invoice.

In Tanzania airports (except for Abeid Amani Karume and Pemba airports) the navigation charges are billed and collected by IATA on behalf of the above authorities. For aircraft operating at Abeid Amani Karume (Zanzibar) and Pemba airports, the landing and parking charges are billed and collected by the Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA).

Aircraft Weight - MTOW (kg)

 

Charges

Local Registered Aircraft

Navigation (per journey) Charges per day in USD

5,670kg(12,680Ibs) or less

$ 60

5,671kg - 22,680kg (12,501 - 50,000Ibs)

$ 80

22,681kg - 90,718kg (50,001 - 200,000Ibs)

$ 350

90,719kg - 181,437kg

$ 550

Above 181,437kg

$ 700

Foreign Registered Aircraft

Navigation (per journey) Charges per day in USD

Up to 1

$ 48.00

Above 1 up to 2

$ 72.00

Above 2 up to 4

$ 120.00

Above 4 up to 8

$ 180.00

Above 8 up to 12

$ 210.00

Above 12 up to 15

$ 252.00

Above 15 up to 20

$ 288.00

Above 20 up to 25

$ 330.00

Above 25

$ 360.00

Landing USD - $

Foreign Registered Aircraft – USD $

Aircraft registered in the United Republic of Tanzania - Tshs

Landing Charges per 1,000kg or part thereof

$ 4.50

Equivalent Tanzania shilling

Night Landing USD - $

n/a

n/a

Night Take-Off USD - $

n/a

n/a

Parking charges per aircraft (after the first two hours)

Aircraft Registered in Tanzania

Foreign Registered Aircraft

Up to 20,000kg

TSH 1000.00 per 12 hours or part thereof

US $5.00 per 12 hours or part thereof

20,000kg – 60,000kg

TSH 1000.00 per 6 hours or part thereof

US $5.00 per 6 hours or part thereof

More than 60,000kg

TSH 1000.00 per hour or part thereof

US $5.00 per hour of part thereof

Handling Charges

n/a

n/a

NOTE: There are no night landing and take-off charges because Kigoma Airport does not provide night operations due to lack of runway lights for directing the aircraft to landing or take-off at night.

Fuel Services Charges 

Kigoma Airport is only selling the Jet A-1 fuel.


Price per Litre USD - $

Jet A-1

$1.1822 litre = TSH 2,100

Avgas

n/a

Cargo Terminal Charges 

Kigoma Airport does not have cargo terminal activities because of its capacity limitations. According to the Kigoma Airport Master, there isn’t any cargo terminal charges but if it is required in the future, the Customs office will be responsible to establish the handling charges.

Import Charges

Type of Charge

Rate USD - $ per kg

Comments

Handling Charge

n/a


Break Bulk Fee

n/a


Diplomatic Mail

n/a


Strong Room – per consignment

n/a


Cold Storage Fee

n/a


Delivery Outside Normal Working Hours

n/a


Preparation of substitute AOA – Invoice – Receipt

n/a


Storage per Day

n/a


export

Handling Charges – Un-palletized Cargo

n/a


International Air Waybill

n/a


Local Air Waybill

n/a


Air Way Bill Amendment - Cancellation

n/a


Air Way Bill Documentation

n/a


Diplomatic Mail

n/a


Storage Charges per Day

n/a


Air-Bridge Charges 

No air-bridge available at Kigoma Airport.

Security

The current security provided at Kigoma Airport is good and follows the civil aviation standards. The security officers are available and they are certified with the security license from Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA). The Airport also has security facilities/equipment that is used for passenger, such as:

  • X-ray machine for passengers and cargo
    • Walk-Through Metal Detector (WTMD)
    • Hand-Help Metal Detector  (HHMD)

Also, the Airport has the contract with a security company which has to ensure that the patrol is done 24 hours a day since the Airport is not fenced. Kigoma Airport Authority plans to upgrade and improve the current security structure. The implementation of this plan depends on the support of TAA headquarters which will provide the necessary funds.

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