Boosting Tanzanian exports: Inside Swissport’s new high-capacity cargo hub at KIA
Swissport Tanzania has opened a new high-capacity cargo hub at Kilimanjaro International Airport to improve the export of temperature-sensitive agricultural goods. The facility can service five cargo aircraft simultaneously.
Why it matters
This infrastructure investment is intended to boost Tanzania's aviation sector and provide local farmers with better access to international markets.
Hai. In efforts to bolster the country’s aviation sector, Swissport Tanzania, operating at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), has launched a modern facility capable of storing 30 containers of vegetables, flowers, fruit, and meat before export to European markets.
The facility can service five cargo aircraft simultaneously while holding up to 30 containers, a step described as boosting KIA’s capacity to handle temperature-sensitive cargo while giving local farmers and exporters wider access to international markets.
Speaking at the inauguration on Saturday, August 8, 2026, the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) director general, Mr Abdul Mombokaleo, stated that the investment represents a significant milestone in strengthening the aviation industry and expanding freight’s contribution to the national economy.
“This is a very major milestone for us in aviation; transport activities also encompass freight operations alongside passenger services. This marks a tremendous economic step forward for our nation,” said Mr Mombokaleo.
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