Last reviewed: September 2026 · Africa Airport Guides
Operator summary
Arusha Airport (HTAR / ARK) is a domestic airport in Arusha, northern Tanzania. It is a key hub for safari flights to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and other northern parks. It is not an airport of entry, so international arrivals normally clear at Kilimanjaro International Airport first.
| Airport | Arusha Airport |
|---|---|
| IATA code | ARK |
| ICAO code | HTAR |
| Location | Olasiti, on the western side of Arusha city, Tanzania |
| Operator | Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) |
| Elevation | About 1,387 m (4,550 ft) |
| Runway | 09/27, about 1,860 m, asphalt |
| Status | Domestic. Not an airport of entry. |
| Hours | Daytime only. Check the current AIP. |
| Time zone | East Africa Time, UTC+3 |
| AAES support | 24/7 permits, handling and fuel coordination from Nairobi |
Planning a safari flight through Arusha? Send the aircraft type and registration, full route, dates, passenger and baggage details and the services you need. AAES can coordinate flight permits, ground handling and fuel. Each item is subject to authority, airport and supplier confirmation.
Where is Arusha Airport?
Arusha Airport is in the Olasiti area, on the western side of Arusha city. Arusha is the main base for safaris in northern Tanzania. Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the larger international airport for the region, east of the city.
Arusha Airport vs Kilimanjaro International Airport
The two airports do different jobs. Choose based on the aircraft and the route.
| Arusha (ARK/HTAR) | Kilimanjaro (JRO/HTKJ) | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Domestic and safari hub | International gateway |
| Customs and immigration | No | Yes |
| Runway | About 1,860 m | Much longer, suits large jets |
| Best for | Light aircraft, turboprops, safari shuttles | International arrivals, business jets, airlines |
A common pattern is to arrive at Kilimanjaro, clear customs, then continue to Arusha or straight to a safari airstrip. See our Kilimanjaro International Airport guide.
ARK and HTAR airport codes
ARK is the IATA code. It is used for tickets and bookings. HTAR is the ICAO code. It is used in flight plans, NOTAMs, permits and handling requests. Do not mix up ARK with JRO, the Kilimanjaro code.
Runway, elevation and hours
The runway is 09/27, about 1,860 m of asphalt. The airport sits at about 1,387 m. This height, plus warm afternoons, reduces aircraft performance. Check take-off and landing figures for the actual weight and temperature.
The airport runs in daylight hours only. Plan arrivals and departures well inside the published hours. Check the current Tanzania AIP and NOTAMs before each movement.
Safari flights from Arusha
Scheduled and charter safari operators fly from Arusha to airstrips across the northern parks, such as Seronera in the Serengeti, and to the coast. Airlines at Arusha include Air Tanzania, Coastal Aviation, Precision Air, Regional Air, As Salaam Air, Tropical Air and ZanAir.
Safari airstrips have their own limits on runway surface, length and hours. Baggage limits on light aircraft are strict. Read our remote airstrip checklist and the bush flight baggage and payload guide.
Permits for flights into Arusha
Foreign non-scheduled flights into Tanzania need a landing permit from the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA). Because Arusha is not an airport of entry, the permit and route must show where the aircraft will first clear customs.
Read our Tanzania landing permit and TCAA clearance guide. AAES can prepare and follow up the request through our landing permit service.
Ground handling and fuel at Arusha
Confirm handling, parking and fuel before departure. Arusha is busy in peak safari season, and parking space is limited. Jet A-1 and Avgas are available, but supplier cover and timing vary. Consider uplifting at Kilimanjaro if the Arusha supply is not confirmed.
AAES coordinates aircraft handling, Jet A-1 and Avgas through local providers.
Linking Arusha with Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam
Many trips end with a beach stay after the safari. Plan the full route as one movement. See the Zanzibar airport guide, the Dar es Salaam airport guide and the Tanzania safari aviation page.
Common planning mistakes
- Planning an international arrival straight into Arusha
- Ignoring elevation when planning payload
- Scheduling a movement outside daylight hours
- Mixing up ARK (Arusha) and JRO (Kilimanjaro) in bookings
- Not checking safari airstrip limits for the onward leg
FAQs: Arusha Airport
What is the airport code for Arusha?
The IATA code is ARK. The ICAO code is HTAR.
Is Arusha Airport international?
No. It is a domestic airport and not an airport of entry. International arrivals normally clear customs at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Should I fly into Arusha or Kilimanjaro?
Fly into Kilimanjaro for international arrivals and larger jets. Use Arusha for domestic and safari connections in light aircraft and turboprops.
How long is the runway at Arusha Airport?
About 1,860 m, on runway 09/27. The airport sits at about 1,387 m elevation.
Is fuel available at Arusha Airport?
Jet A-1 and Avgas are available. Confirm supplier, payment and 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