Bukoba Airport, situated along the southern shores of Lake Victoria, is expected to reopen next month according to the Tanzanian Airports Authority (TAA) following the conclusion of rehabilitation and extension works to the airport's runway 13/31, and rehabilitation of the terminal building. |
| Old Bukoba Terminal (GMB) |
Started in 2009, work was originally scheduled to have been completed last year in October but was postponed due to "logistical problems".
In an interview with Tanzania's Daily News, TAA Bukoba Regional Manager, Mr Julius Mlungwana, said:
"The last phase will involve construction of a modern terminal building. The new airport has been expanded to 1,600 metres to accommodate bigger aircrafts to land in Bukoba. After rehabilitation, the Bukoba Airport would accommodate ATR 42 aircrafts with the capacity to carry 40 to 50 passengers compared to smaller aircrafts currently landing at the airport with only 8 to 12 passengers," he said.
Source [Daily News]
Amongst Bukoba's improvements seen under the USD20million World Bank funded contract are:
- Rehabilitation and extension of runway to 1'500m from 1'300m including provision of Marshal Asphalt wearing course
- Supply and install emergency services
- Construction of Terminal Building and other buildings
Work was awarded to both United Constructors Contracting Co. LTD (UCCL) of Saudi Arabia and an unnamed Italian firm.
Currently, only Auric Air (H8) and Precision Air(PW) serve the airport with flights to Mwanza and Rubondo.
