Kitaifa
Dar es Salaam airport wins international safety award
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) has received an international safety award, solidifying its position in the aviation sector.
The highly regarded Airport Council International (ACI) Safety Award 2024, in the Category One classification, was announced on Thursday September 20, 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Tanzania, classified as a Category One nation with more than 40,000 aircraft movements per year, has showcased strict adherence to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards alongside other safety measures, according to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Prof Godius Kahyarara, who accepted the award on behalf of the government of Tanzania and the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), which operates the airport.
“The award underscores the country’s firm commitment to ensuring the highest levels of safety and security for international air travelers,” he said.
“Winning such a prestigious award will enhance Tanzania’s global standing, attract more airlines, and bolster confidence in our airport infrastructure. It also serves as an impetus for further safety improvements, contributing significantly to the growth and development of our aviation sector,” said Prof Kahyarara.
The award is one of the highest honours in global aviation and is presented to airports that display exemplary safety performance while maintaining full compliance with international safety standards.
“This award not only highlights JNIA’s outstanding safety record but also positions Tanzania at the forefront of global aviation,” he added.
According to Prof Kahyarara, the recognition reaffirms Tanzania’s commitment to being a safe, dependable, and world-class destination for air travel—crucial to boosting tourism, attracting foreign investment and supporting economic growth.
The Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) said has long been dedicated to operational excellence, investing in cutting-edge technologies, staff training, and infrastructure upgrades to meet stringent safety regulations.
“This award serves as a testament to these efforts, further enhancing JNIA’s stature as a key player on the international stage,” it said in a statement.
ACI, representing airports across the world, champions safety, security, and sustainability in the aviation industry.
The award reinforces JNIA’s role as a beacon of safety in the sector, with the promise of bringing significant benefits to Tanzania, including a surge in tourism and increased global confidence in the country’s aviation infrastructure.