Songwe was opened on 13th December 2012 to take part of the Old Mbeya Airport which was serving the region since colonial era and is among 59 airports managed, maintained and operated under Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA). The Airport is in the GROUP II Airports and its license is valid up to 31stAugust 2020. It operates as a domestic and entry and exit point for international flights. Other airports in this category are Mwanza, Mtwara, Arusha, Dodoma and Kigoma. The Airport is managed by Airport Manager who is responsible for monitoring and managing other airstrips in Region which are Chunya and old Mbeya airport area.