DAR ES SALAAM, July 31 -- DOMESTIC air travel continued to expand in the first quarter this year with passenger numbers reaching a record high for the period as rising demand for business and leisure travel offset a slowdown in international traffic.

The number of domestic passengers increased to 740,151 in the quarter ending March from 589,140 in the corresponding quarter last year, according to the Bank of Tanzanias Consolidated Zonal Economic Performance Report.

The total also edged above the 734,816 passengers recorded in the preceding quarter, underscoring resilient demand for air transport despite seasonal fluctuations.

According to the report, domestic flight movements rose to 25,910, compared with 24,167 a year earlier, reflect...