The Parliament of Tanzania has passed the 2024 Tanzania Airports Bill, which aims to strengthen the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) by giving it full authority to manage, operate, and develop all airports in the country.
In a statement to Parliament on August 28, 2024, Minister of Transport, Prof. Makame Mbarawa, explained that the purpose of this law is to establish a robust and effective legal framework for the management, operation, and development of airports nationwide.
“This law repeals the Airports Licensing and Control Act of 1974. According to the provisions of the Bill, the proposed Authority will continue to carry out its duties as the Authority,” stated Prof. Mbarawa.
The bill, which now awaits the signature of President Samia Suluhu Hassan to become law, includes provisions for the TAA to have its own firefighting personnel instead of relying on the Fire and Rescue Force.
Before this bill, the TAA operated as an agency under the Government Agencies Act, Chapter 245, and was overseen by an Advisory Board with limited powers. The new legislation gives the TAA the responsibility for establishing, developing, managing, operating, and maintaining airports, resolving the issue of private companies running airports such as the previous dispute involving Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA).
Additionally, the bill sets conditions aimed at ensuring that government-owned airports are managed and operated in compliance with established regulatory standards. It also tasks the TAA with ensuring safety at airports, including the provision of firefighting and rescue services, wildlife and bird control, among other responsibilities.
