Auric Air
Auric Air Services Limited is a Tanzanian private airline operating a 24+ aircraft fleet across 50+ East African destinations, providing scheduled flights, charter services, and safari-to-coast connectivity for tourists, VIPs, and corporate clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersMwanza, Tanzania
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Auric Air does
Auric Air Services Limited is a privately held Tanzanian airline that has operated as a scheduled and charter regional carrier across East Africa since 2004 (with broader firmographic dating to 2001), headquartered at Julius Nyerere International Airport Terminal 1 in Dar es Salaam. The company serves safari tourists, coastal travellers, VIP/private clients, and corporate customers across a network of 50+ destinations spanning Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, and has been named Tanzania's Leading Domestic Safari Carrier by the World Travel Awards for nine consecutive years (2016-2023 and 2025).\n\nThe carrier operates a fleet of 24+ aircraft across three platform families: 19 Cessna Grand Caravan C208B/EX units for short-takeoff-and-landing bush operations, 4 De Havilland Dash 8 series turboprops (37-50 seats) for pressurized regional routes, and 2 Pilatus PC-12 aircraft configured for executive and air-ambulance missions. Fleet flexibility is what enables STOL access to remote safari airstrips in the Serengeti, Ruaha, Nyerere, and Tarangire ecosystems that road transport cannot serve — a value proposition reinforced by the "Herd Tracker" feature aggregating pilot, ranger, and guide sighting reports into real-time Great Migration updates. Supporting technology includes the AeroCRS booking platform with multi-currency (USD/TZS) support, agent portals, online check-in, and frequent-flyer mileage accrual, with maintenance and pilot training delivered through HAWK Aviation Limited under TCAA, KCAA, UCAA, FAA, and EASA-approved frameworks and supplemented by an IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) certification that is independently biennially evaluated.\n\nAuric Air monetizes through four primary revenue streams: (i) scheduled flight services sold via auricair.com, a central reservations call centre, WhatsApp, and travel-agent channels; (ii) VIP, corporate, and group charter services managed by a dedicated charter sales team with bespoke pricing and account management; (iii) ancillary airport services including $5 inter-terminal transfers at Julius Nyerere International Airport and excess-baggage fees ($30-$60 per 10kg slab depending on route); and (iv) integrated safari-to-sea packages bundling flights with lodges. Pricing is route- and distance-sensitive with safari routes commanding premium fares, child discounts at 75% of adult fares, infants free, and a 5% circuit discount on multi-leg bookings. Distribution is direct-to-consumer plus interline — including partnerships with Aerolink Uganda (gorilla trekking) and FlyALS (Masai Mara) — while the carrier has positioned itself for forward-looking fleet decarbonization through a 2026 strategic partnership with MONTE Cleantech to explore zero-emission propulsion technologies.
Auric Air firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Auric Air
- Legal name
- Auric Air Services Limited
- Website
- https://auricair.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Auric Air Services Limited is a Tanzanian private airline operating a 24+ aircraft fleet across 50+ East African destinations, providing scheduled flights, charter services, and safari-to-coast connectivity for tourists, VIPs, and corporate clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Auric Air industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regional Safari Aviation
- NAICS
- Scheduled Air Transportation (48111), Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Island & Remote Region Regional Airlines (THABACAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Group & ACMI Charter Airlines (Ad-hoc/Wet Lease) (TLAFABAC), Interline/Codeshare-Integrated Regional Airlines (Non-CPA) (THABACAG)
Keywords
Where Auric Air is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mwanza
- HQ country
- Tanzania
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
Auric Air business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Scheduled Flight Services: Revenue generated from scheduled domestic and regional flights connecting safari destinations, coastal locations, and major cities across East Africa. Ticket sales through online platform, reservations call center, and travel agents.
- Charter Services: Private charter flights including VIP/private charters, corporate charters, and group charters. Premium pricing for bespoke aviation solutions with dedicated travel managers and flexible scheduling.
- Terminal Transfer Services: Transfer services connecting Terminal 1 with Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at Julius Nyerere International Airport, priced at $5.00 per person one-way.
- Excess Baggage Fees: Revenue from excess baggage charges: $30.00 per 10kg slab for coast routes, $60.00 per 10kg slab for safari/bush routes, with maximum 40kg additional allowance.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Baggage Allowance: 20kg per passenger inclusive of hand luggage |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Terminal Transfer Service: $5.00 one-way per person |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ruaha Flight Route: Starting from $327 per sector |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Circuit/Multi-Leg Discount: 5% additional discount on qualifying bookings |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Auric Air product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Auric Air operates scheduled and charter flight services across East Africa with a fleet of 24+ aircraft connecting safari destinations, coastal gateways, and major cities in Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The airline's core offering combines daily scheduled domestic/regional flights with bespoke VIP, corporate, and group charter services, supported by an online booking platform, frequent flyer program, and integrated safari-to-coast connectivity.
Product overview
Auric Air Services Ltd operates as Tanzania's premier safari carrier offering scheduled flight services and private charter solutions. The core product portfolio includes scheduled domestic and regional flights across 50+ destinations (safari parks, coastal destinations, international routes to Rwanda/Uganda), supported by three aircraft sub-brands: Cessna Grand Caravan C208B/EX fleet (19 aircraft for bush operations), De Havilland Dash 8 Series (4 aircraft for regional comfort), and Pilatus PC-12 (2 aircraft for executive/VIP charters). Charter services are segmented into VIP Private Charters, Corporate Charters, and Group Charters (up to 13 passengers). Add-on services include transit lounges at Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Zanzibar airports, terminal transfer services, Explorer Magazine and Young Explorer Magazine inflight publications, Mount Kilimanjaro scenic flights, Herd Tracker migration monitoring, and Safari-to-Sea package bundles combining flights with accommodations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Scheduled Flight Services
- VIP Private Charters
- Corporate Charters
- Group Charters
- Terminal Transfer Service
- Mount Kilimanjaro Scenic Route
- Safari-to-Sea Packages
- Bush Safari Packages
- Explorer Inflight Magazine
- Young Explorer Magazine
Quantifiable outcome
- Saves up to 8 hours of dusty road travel when flying direct to Serengeti airstrips
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Auric Air
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Auric Air technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Auric Air partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- MONTE (Monte Cleantech)coreStrategic partnership to explore zero-emission propulsion technologies for Auric Air's fleet. MONTE will identify suitable propulsion technology and provide financing for fleet conversion once technologies are certified. This collaboration positions Auric Air as a leader in decarbonizing regional aviation in East Africa.
- Aerolink UgandacoreIntegrated flight connections for immediate access to gorilla trekking sites at Kihihi and Kisoro from Entebbe. Auric Air provides the Tanzania-side connections from Serengeti, Manyara, and Tarangire while Aerolink handles Uganda domestic routes.
- FlyALScorePartnership for seamless Serengeti to Masai Mara connections. FlyALS operates the Kenyan side (Migori to Isabania road transfer) while Auric Air handles Tanzania operations from Serengeti to Tarime airstrip.
- HAWK Aviation LimitedcoreFleet maintenance provider with KCAA, TCAA, and UCAA approvals. Ensures aircraft meet highest international safety standards with licensed and type-rated engineers having extensive practical experience.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Auric Air competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- RwandAir: National carrier of Rwanda operating a wider scheduled network including regional East African routes. Larger incumbent serving some destinations Auric Air also reaches via Kigali for gorilla trekking extensions.
- Precision Air (historical / Air Tanzania context): Air Tanzania Company Limited operates domestic scheduled routes overlapping with Auric Air's mainline services between Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar. A larger state-backed incumbent with broader scheduled fleet competing on the trunk routes Auric Air also serves.
- Kenya Airways: Flag carrier of Kenya with a broader regional and intercontinental network. A larger incumbent competing indirectly for East African safari and corporate travel demand rather than point-to-point bush routes.
Direct peers
- FlyALS: Kenyan safari/regional airline partnering with Auric Air on Serengeti-to-Masai Mara cross-border connectivity. Operates comparable regional fleet on safari and coastal routes in Kenya.
- Coastal Aviation: Tanzania-based safari and charter airline operating similar Cessna Caravan fleet across safari parks, coastal destinations, and Zanzibar. The closest direct competitor to Auric Air in both scheduled and charter segments.
- SafariLink Aviation: Kenyan safari airline offering scheduled and charter flights into Masai Mara and other Kenyan conservancies using comparable Cessna Caravan fleet. Direct competitor in the East African premium safari segment.
- Aerolink Uganda: Uganda domestic safari/charter operator that is also a commercial partner of Auric Air for cross-border gorilla trekking connections. Operates comparable Cessna fleet on bush-strip routes.
- As Salaam Air: Zanzibar-based scheduled and charter operator serving the same coastal and safari routes from Dar es Salaam with overlapping fleet and service categories. Direct competitor for Zanzibar shuttle and safari traffic.
Regional players
- Tropic Air: Kenya-based private charter and safari operator focused on the Masai Mara ecosystem with bush-capable aircraft; an adjacent East African peer in the regional safari charter category.
- Air Kenya Express: Kenyan safari carrier operating scheduled and charter flights into national parks and conservancies with comparable small turboprop fleet; competitor for cross-border safari itineraries.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Auric Air social profiles
Digital presenceAuric Air compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Auric Air financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Auric Air leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Auric Air funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Auric Air M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Auric Air
What does Auric Air do?
Auric Air operates scheduled and charter flight services across East Africa with a fleet of 24+ aircraft connecting safari destinations, coastal gateways, and major cities in Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The airline's core offering combines daily scheduled domestic/regional flights with bespoke VIP, corporate, and group charter services, supported by an online booking platform, frequent flyer program, and integrated safari-to-coast connectivity.
Is Auric Air a public or private company?
Auric Air is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Auric Air founded?
Auric Air was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Auric Air based?
Auric Air is headquartered in Mwanza, Tanzania, in the Africa region.
How does Auric Air make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Scheduled Flight Services are the primary driver. The others are charter Services, terminal Transfer Services and excess Baggage Fees.
Who are Auric Air's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are RwandAir, Precision Air (historical / Air Tanzania context) and Kenya Airways. Direct peers are FlyALS, Coastal Aviation, SafariLink Aviation, Aerolink Uganda and As Salaam Air. Regional players are Tropic Air and Air Kenya Express.
Does Auric Air have an API?
No public API is recorded for Auric Air.
What industry is Auric Air in?
Auric Air's product category is Regional Safari Aviation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABACAL, Island & Remote Region Regional Airlines, with a secondary code of TLAFABAC, Group & ACMI Charter Airlines (Ad-hoc/Wet Lease). Its NAICS code is 48111 and its SIC code is 4512.