What the Belgium airlines’ maiden flight to KIA means to TZ tourism industry

KILIMANJARO: THE tourism sector in the country got a big boost after the plane belonging to the Belgium Airlines, the flag carrier and largest airline of Belgium made its first land in Tanzania. The inaugural Belgium Airline flight arrived at the Hai district-based Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) in Kilimanjaro Region, on the night of June 3, 2026, with 248 tourists onboard.

The plane landed and raised a lot of excitement among those who attended the reception while the plane was given the honour of a Water Salute. The Water Salute is a high ceremonial honour in the aviation industry used to celebrate a flight milestone. It is a symbolic Blessing meant to welcome a new flight service in the area of its maiden flight.

During the water parade, two airport fire-fighting trucks park perpendicularly on opposite sides of the airport apron whereby as the aircraft rolls past, the trucks use their powerful water cannons to spray massive plumes of water into the air, creating a giant liquid arch above the plane.

Speaking during the inauguration of the maiden flight at the Kilimanjaro International Airport 9KIA), the Minister for Transport, Professor Makame Mbarawa, said the start of the new route and the eventual arrival of the Belgian Airlines plane in Tanzania are the results of the favourable investment environments created by the Government under the leadership of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan.

“The introduction of this new route will make a significant contribution to growing of the national economy through the tourism sector, international trade and other areas of investments”, he noted.

Minister Mbarawa continued to say that, areas like Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar which are some of the country’s tourists’ hubs will benefit by the increase in visitors, whom he said will include Belgian investors, whereby he said, they (Belgians) will have the opportunity to reach Tanzania directly from their country through the airline’s new direct route.

He added, “The newly introduced flight route will also help to strengthen relations between Tanzania and Belgium by increasing economic, social and cultural cooperation between our two countries”.

Minister Mbarawa continued to say that, the Government will continue to improve the country’s airports infrastructure to keep up with the increase in passengers and airlines entering the country, whereby he also said that, move has increased the number of international airlines entering through KIA as well as strengthening Tanzania’s position as a key tourism hub in Africa.

“The new Belgian flight routes comes at a time when air travel activities in the country continue to grow rapidly, with the number of international flights at KIA increasing from 148 to 152 per week, a clear indication that the global aviation sector investors do have confidence in Tanzanian as far as the aviation sector is concerned”, he noted further.

The Minister continued to say that, visitors from Belgium and other European nations will now have easier access to popular tourist attractions including Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar, a move which is will increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the strengthening of the national economy.

Speaking during the occasion, the Tanzania’s Ambassador to Belgium, Jestas Nyamanga, said the 248 tourists who arrived on the first Brussels Airlines flight at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) is the beginning of great achievements for the country’s tourism sector as well as that of the national economy.

“The Belgian Airlines will operate two flights a week, a move that will increase the number of tourists and business opportunities between Tanzania and Belgium”, he noted, adding, Brussels Airlines is among the major airlines that operate flights in several African countries and that, choosing Tanzania as one of its important hubs is a clear sign of the Tanzania’s continued prosperity in the aviation industry worldwide.

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For his part, the Director General of the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), Abdul Mombokaleo, said the government has prepared a major plan to improve KIA by adding a second passenger terminal, aircraft parking areas, connecting roads and modernizing lighting systems to comply with the international aviation standards.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, James Ole Millya, said the start of direct flights by Brussels Airlines to the country is a result of strong diplomatic relations built and strengthened by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Millya continued to say that, the arrival of Brussels Airlines’ new route has come at a time when Tanzania is preparing to host major international events, including the World Parliament Assembly expected to be held in October, this year, as well as the AFCON 2027 football competition which Tanzania will co-host with Kenya and Uganda and that the new route will give participants of the two events extra options when planning their trips to Tanzania to attend the events.

Another aviation industry’s stakeholder from Belgium Julia Hillenbrand said the introduction of the direct flights by Brussels Airlines to Tanzania will strengthen the connectivity of continents through the aviation industry by facilitating passengers’ travelling schedules between Africa and Europe.

She said the service will also stimulate cargo transport between Tanzania and the European countries and therefore open up new opportunities for economic, trade, investment and the tourism sectors, as well as strengthening social and cultural relations between the people of Tanzania and the European countries.

The post What the Belgium airlines’ maiden flight to KIA means to TZ tourism industry first appeared on Daily News.

The post What the Belgium airlines’ maiden flight to KIA means to TZ tourism industry appeared first on Daily News.