Tanzania's busiest gateway on the Indian Ocean coast.
Opened
1954
Location
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Julius Nyerere International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Tanzania, serving the commercial capital of Dar es Salaam. Named after Tanzania's founding president and first prime minister Julius Nyerere, it handles the majority of the country's international air traffic and connects East Africa to destinations across the globe.
The airport has undergone significant expansion in recent years, including the construction of a modern Terminal 3, which opened in 2019 and significantly increased passenger capacity. The facility is operated by the Tanzania Airports Authority and serves as the primary hub for Air Tanzania, the national carrier.
Dar es Salaam's strategic coastal location makes the airport an important transit point for travelers heading to Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, and other destinations within East Africa. The airport handles both scheduled international services and regional domestic connections.
Terminals
The airport has three terminals, with Terminal 3 being the newest and largest, opened in 2019 to handle international traffic.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include taxis, ride-hailing services, and private transfers, with the airport located approximately 12 kilometers from Dar es Salaam's city center.
Airlines here
Air Tanzania uses the airport as its primary hub, while Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines are among the major international carriers serving the airport.
Notable facts
- ›Named after Julius Nyerere, Tanzania's first president, who led the country from independence in 1961 until 1985.
- ›Terminal 3, funded partly by the Chinese government, opened in 2019 with a capacity of approximately 6 million passengers annually.
- ›The airport serves as the main international gateway for travelers connecting to Zanzibar via smaller domestic flights.
- ›It is the busiest airport in Tanzania and one of the busiest in East Africa.
- ›The airport's IATA code DAR is derived from the city's name, Dar es Salaam, meaning 'Haven of Peace' in Arabic.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
