The ongoing expansion and upgrading of Dodoma Airport is expected to be completed by the end of this month thus allowing big airplanes to land and take off.

The expansion of the airport will also improve air transport in the central zone regions.

Minister for Works, Transport and Communication Professor Makame Mbarawa expressed satisfaction with the speed at which the contractor is implementing the project, saying that the work will be completed as per set contractual period.

He said to date, 80 per cent of the work has been done within 45 days since the commencement of renovation work.

The speed used to rehabilitate the airport will also be applied in the construction of other airports in the country to improve their status. “We believe that with this speed the contractor and supervisor will complete this work as per contractual time to allow big aircraft to land and takeoff.

Upon completion, the airport will enable aircraft with capacity of between 70 and 90 passengers to land and take off,” Mr Mbarawa said. Supervisor of the project form Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), Mr Mbila Mdemu, said that rehabilitation and expansion work was being done day and night basing on quality and standard assuring that it will be completed as planned.

“We were given this work; we assure you that it will be completed as per directives/ to allow people surrounding Dodoma Region and neighbouring regions to enjoy the aviation transport,” he said. The work, which is in its final stages, has included rehabilitation of the aircraft parking bay and runways.

The airport’s expansion and rehabilitation is funded by the government at a cost of 11.8bn/- . Upon completion, it will increase the volume of passenger and cargo traffic to the central zone regions.

Last month, during the laying of the foundation stone for the airport’s upgrading, the Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, said the big airplanes could land at the airport after completion of the upgrading work at the airport, expressing optimism that local airlines, such as Air Tanzania, Precision Air and FastJet would begin flights to Dodoma to cater for growing business.

Also speaking during the laying of the foundation stone, Prof Mbarawa told the PM that the renovation and expansion would be ready for use by air firms after six weeks -- and be able to accommodate bigger planes with the capacity of 90 passengers as well as cargo.

Prof Mbarawa also said the technical designs and consultancy works were both done by local experts rated by Tanzania Roads Agency (TANROADS) and Tanzania Building Agency (TBA). The expansion would cost the government a total of 11.5bn/-