Located approximately 46 km from Arusha and 50 km from Moshi in northern Tanzania, Kilimanjaro International Airport sits at the foot of the highest free-standing mountain in the world. The airport serves as the main entry point for travellers destined for the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli (via Namanga border), Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, and of course the Mount Kilimanjaro trekking routes.

Originally opened in 1971, the airport has undergone several expansions and modernisation projects to accommodate growing international demand. The terminal features international and domestic wings, car hire facilities, banks, currency exchange bureaux, restaurants, and duty-free shops. The runway is capable of handling wide-bodied aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A330, enabling direct long-haul flights from major hub airports in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

KIA is owned and operated by the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) and is classified as an international gateway airport under the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA). The airport plays a pivotal role in Tanzania's tourism economy, which is the country's leading foreign exchange earner.