President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania opened his country's second international airport at kilimanjaro on Thursday, December 2. The 5,400,000 sterling project has been hailed as the new tourist gateway to Africa. It lies beneath show capped Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania and will be able to handle 600,000 passengers a year. Once a paradise for wildlife, the new airport lies in the heart of some of Africa's finest game reserves. Construction was completed in 23 months by an Italian firm.

SYNOPSIS: Africa's newest international airport has been opened. The 5,400,000 sterling complex lies in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania. Sheik Karume, first Vice-President of Tanzania was among the first guests to fly in for the opening ceremony. He was met by the Minister of Communications and Transport, Mr. Job Lusinde.

The principal guest was president Julius Nyerere who flew in to perform the opening.

The new airport lies in what was once a paradise for wildlife. The complex has been hailed as the new tourist gateway to Africa. Jumbo jets are able to land on the new runways bringing tourists to the heart of some of the continent's finest game reserves.

After performing the opening, President Nyerere and other guests were taken on a tour of the new airport.

The airport was completed in 23 months by an Italian construction firm with loans from the Italian Government. The airport was described at the opening ceremony as the best in the whole African continent.

The airport lies between the northern Tanzanian towns of Arusha and Moshi, some 300 miles (480 kms) northwest of the capital, Dares Salaam.