Last reviewed: September 2026 · Africa Airport Guides
Operator summary
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (HTZA / ZNZ) is the main airport for Zanzibar. It sits on Unguja Island, about 5 km south of Zanzibar City. It handles international, regional, domestic, charter and private flights, with a strong tourism focus.
| Airport | Abeid Amani Karume International Airport |
|---|---|
| IATA code | ZNZ |
| ICAO code | HTZA |
| Location | Unguja Island, Zanzibar, about 5 km south of Zanzibar City |
| Operator | Zanzibar Airports Authority |
| Elevation | About 16 m (54 ft) |
| Runway | 18/36, about 3,000 m, asphalt |
| Time zone | East Africa Time, UTC+3 |
| AAES support | 24/7 permits, ground handling and Jet A-1 fuel coordination from Nairobi |
Planning a movement to Zanzibar? Send the aircraft type and registration, route, dates, passenger 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 Zanzibar airport?
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport is on Unguja, the main island of Zanzibar. It is about 5 km south of Zanzibar City and Stone Town. Beach resorts on the north and east coasts are further away, so plan road transfers with enough time.
The airport was once called Kisauni Airport, then Zanzibar International Airport. It took its current name in 2010, after Abeid Amani Karume, Zanzibar’s first president.
ZNZ and HTZA airport codes
ZNZ is the IATA code. It is used for tickets, baggage tags and bookings. HTZA is the ICAO code. It is used in flight plans, NOTAMs, permits and handling requests.
Terminals at Zanzibar airport
| Terminal | Main use |
|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Historic building, no longer used for passengers |
| Terminal 2 | Domestic flights and some international flights |
| Terminal 3 | International flights. Opened in September 2020, in use from early 2021. |
Ask the handler which terminal and which stand your flight will use. Private and charter movements can be processed differently from airline flights.
Runway and operating information
The airport has one runway, 18/36, at about 3,000 m of asphalt. It sits near sea level. Coastal heat can still affect take-off performance, so check figures for the actual weight and temperature.
Opening hours and night operations can be limited. Confirm the current hours, AIP and NOTAMs before planning an early or late movement.
Landing permission for Zanzibar
Zanzibar needs separate attention from mainland Tanzania. The TCAA permit page states that operators or their agents must get prior permission to land in Zanzibar through the Zanzibar authority channel. A mainland clearance alone may not cover a Zanzibar landing.
If your trip also stops in Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro, list every sector at the start. Read our Tanzania landing permit and TCAA clearance guide. AAES can prepare and follow up the requests through our landing permit service.
Ground handling in Zanzibar
Zanzibar is busy in peak tourist seasons. Confirm handling and parking before departure. Tell the handler about:
- Aircraft type, registration and MTOW
- ETA, ETD and ground time
- Parking needs, especially for longer stays
- Passenger, crew and baggage numbers
- VIP, resort transfer or crew hotel needs
AAES coordinates aircraft handling, VIP handling and concierge services through local providers.
Jet A-1 fuel in Zanzibar
Jet A-1 and Avgas are available at Zanzibar. Supplier cover, payment and uplift timing still vary. Confirm the uplift before departure, and consider tankering if the next stop has limited fuel.
See our aircraft fuelling services and the Jet A-1 density and uplift planning guide.
Connecting Zanzibar with the mainland and safari
Many trips pair a Zanzibar beach stay with a safari. Common links are Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Arusha and safari airstrips. Plan the whole route as one movement.
See the Dar es Salaam airport guide, the Kilimanjaro airport guide, the Tanzania safari aviation page and the safari camp transfer guide.
Common planning mistakes
- Assuming a mainland Tanzania permit covers the Zanzibar landing
- Booking parking late in peak tourist season
- Planning a night movement without checking opening hours
- Underestimating road time to north and east coast resorts
- Assuming fuel is confirmed because it is normally available
FAQs: Zanzibar airport
What is the airport code for Zanzibar?
The IATA code is ZNZ. The ICAO code is HTZA.
How far is Zanzibar airport from Stone Town?
About 5 km. The airport is just south of Zanzibar City and Stone Town.
Which terminal handles international flights in Zanzibar?
Terminal 3. It opened in September 2020 and has been in use since early 2021.
Does a Tanzania mainland permit cover a Zanzibar landing?
Not always. Zanzibar landings need prior permission through the Zanzibar authority channel. Confirm both before the flight.
Is Jet A-1 available in Zanzibar?
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