Last reviewed: September 2026 · Africa Airport Guides
Operator summary
Julius Nyerere International Airport (HTDA / DAR) is Tanzania’s main international airport. It sits in Dar es Salaam, about 12 km south-west of the city centre. It handles international, regional, domestic, cargo, charter and private flights.
| Airport | Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) |
|---|---|
| IATA code | DAR |
| ICAO code | HTDA |
| Location | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, about 12 km south-west of the city centre |
| Operator | Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) |
| Elevation | About 55 m (180 ft) |
| Main runway | 05/23, 3,000 m, asphalt |
| Second runway | 14/32, 1,000 m, asphalt |
| Time zone | East Africa Time, UTC+3 |
| Hub carriers | Air Tanzania and Precision Air |
| AAES support | 24/7 permits, ground handling and Jet A-1 fuel coordination from Nairobi |
Planning a movement through Dar es Salaam? Send the aircraft type and registration, route, dates, passenger or cargo details, fuel quantity and the services you need. AAES can coordinate flight permits, ground handling and Jet A-1 fuel. Each item is subject to authority, airport and supplier confirmation.
Where is Dar es Salaam airport?
Julius Nyerere International Airport is in the Kipawa area of Ilala District, Dar es Salaam. It is about 12 km south-west of the city centre. Road time to the centre depends heavily on traffic, so plan crew and passenger transfers with a buffer.
The airport was called Dar es Salaam International Airport until 2005. It then took the name of Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s first president. Some older charts and booking systems may still show the old name.
DAR and HTDA airport codes
DAR is the IATA code. It is used for tickets, baggage tags and passenger bookings. HTDA is the ICAO code. It is used in flight plans, NOTAMs, permits and handling requests. Use HTDA in every operational document to avoid confusion.
Terminals at Julius Nyerere International Airport
The airport has three terminals. Each one serves a different type of flight.
| Terminal | Main use |
|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Mainly private, charter and small aircraft flights |
| Terminal 2 | Domestic and regional flights |
| Terminal 3 | International flights. Opened in August 2019. |
Confirm with the handler which terminal your passengers and crew will use. Private and charter movements can be routed differently from scheduled flights.
Runways and operating information
The main runway is 05/23, at 3,000 m of asphalt. A shorter runway, 14/32, is 1,000 m. The airport sits close to sea level, at about 55 m. Coastal heat and humidity can still affect aircraft performance, so check take-off figures for the actual weight and temperature.
Check the current Tanzania AIP and NOTAMs before every movement. Runway works, lighting status and operating hours can change. Do not rely on older published figures alone.
Landing permits for Tanzania
Foreign non-scheduled flights into Tanzania need a landing permit from the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA). Overflights of the Dar es Salaam FIR need an overflight permit. Lead times and documents depend on the flight purpose and aircraft.
Read our Tanzania landing permit and TCAA clearance guide for the full checklist. AAES can prepare and follow up the application through our landing permit service.
Ground handling at Dar es Salaam
Confirm ground handling before departure, not on arrival. Tell the handler about:
- Aircraft type, registration and MTOW
- ETA, ETD and ground time
- Parking needs and stand preference
- Passenger, crew and baggage numbers
- CIQ, VIP or crew transport needs
- Catering, water, lavatory and GPU requests
AAES coordinates aircraft handling, VIP handling and in-flight catering through local providers.
Jet A-1 fuel at Dar es Salaam
Jet A-1 is available at Julius Nyerere International Airport. Supplier cover, payment method and uplift timing still vary. Confirm the uplift before the aircraft departs.
Send the quantity, ETA and payment details early. See our aircraft fuelling services and the Jet A-1 density and uplift planning guide.
Cargo operations
Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s main air cargo gateway. The airport handled about 29,000 tonnes of cargo in 2024. Freighter services run alongside belly cargo on passenger flights.
For cargo flights, confirm the warehouse, customs documents, loading equipment and dangerous goods rules in advance. AAES supports this through our air cargo handling coordination.
Onward connections: Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro and safari airstrips
Many itineraries continue from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Arusha or safari airstrips. Plan the connection as one movement. Check permits, fuel and handling at every stop.
See our Kilimanjaro International Airport guide, the Tanzania safari aviation page and the multi-country flight planning guide.
Common planning mistakes
- Applying for the TCAA permit too late for the flight purpose
- Assuming fuel is confirmed because Jet A-1 is normally available
- Not telling the handler which terminal passengers will use
- Leaving too little time for city traffic on crew transfers
- Planning the Zanzibar or safari leg separately from the Dar es Salaam stop
FAQs: Julius Nyerere International Airport
What is the airport code for Dar es Salaam?
The IATA code is DAR. The ICAO code is HTDA.
How far is Julius Nyerere International Airport from Dar es Salaam city centre?
About 12 km south-west of the city centre. Travel time depends on traffic.
Which terminal handles international flights?
Terminal 3, which opened in August 2019. Terminal 1 mainly serves private and charter flights.
Do foreign private flights need a permit to land in Dar es Salaam?
Yes. Foreign non-scheduled flights need a landing permit from the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority.
Is Jet A-1 available at Dar es Salaam?
Yes. Confirm supplier, payment and uplift timing before departure.
Need 24/7 flight support in Kenya or across Africa?
AAES supports permits, flight planning, dispatch, Jet A-1 fuel coordination, ground handling, cargo support and concierge services.
Email: sales@aaes.aero
Phone: +254 725 284 509