Tanzania Airliner Breaks East African Skies with Efficiency

By Derek Murusuri

Dar Es Salaam. 10-4-2018: THE EAST AFRICAN sky family is on the brink of becoming Africa’s largest and busiest with Air Tanzania’s resolve to soar much higher amid regional and international skies.  

It is no longer at ease. Air Tanzania is set for a competitive regional airline business with a fleet rising from one to four in a span of just two years. By end of this year, three new additions hit seven aircrafts signaling Dar’s ready for serious business.

Most business management books testify that a person on top is of critical import for the success of a firm or nation. It is the man on top. Since President Dr John Pombe Magufuli won the highest office of the land, the airline received a new lease of life.

The airline with a troubled past, the history of which value is now worth a museum outfit, steadily stabilizes, splashing a promising future for a very competitive regional airline.

President Dr Magufuli’s entrepreneurial mind: Start before you feel ready  

“The Board and the Managing Director were cautiously picked to act on our behalf to revive and lead the airline to success,” President Dr John Pombe Magufuli said when commissioning the new aircrafts from Canada.

Dr Magufuli proves that all things were possible in Africa if one is determinant, dedicated, and resilient and kept the discipline. The President, who has an entrepreneurial mind, exhibits the virtues shared by Sir Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Atlantic who entered in the business from a cancelled flight to Virgin Islands.

"The main thing is that Richard Branson is willing to start before he feels ready. He had no idea of starting an airline company. He didn't know anything about it. He didn't have the money…but ...the idea of starting before you feel ready is so indicative of successful people in almost any field, “said James Clear of JamesClear.com

There were many confusing views on the viability of revamping an airline that was operating on losses on a single aircraft to raise in the midst of the giants in the industry. Sir Richard Branson started with a single aircraft to over 46 aircrafts and 14 orders this year.

Virgin Atlantic operates Airbus and Boeing aircrafts to more than 160 destinations. Credited as the world’s most technically advanced, the airline successes were attributed to Branson’s entrepreneurial mind.

New Fleet and Tourism Marketing Strategy
With three new Q400 turboprop aircrafts bought at US$62 million from Canada’s Bombardier Inc., Tanzania ordered two more CS300 jetliners at US$200 million and one Boeing 787 Dreamliner from the US at a list price of $224.6 million.

The three new aircrafts were expected to increasingly promote respects for the East African sky family before end of 2018, said Gerson Msigwa, Director for Presidential Communications.

President Dr Magufuli managed to overhaul and transform the once troubled airline into  increasingly efficient and promising regional and international airline.

Speaking at the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) meeting in Zanzibar recently, Air Tanzania Managing Director Ladislaus Matindi, said the airline will operate excellent fleets by end of its five-year strategic plan, 2017-2022.
He said the 787 Dreamliner which will renew and grow the Air Tanzania fleet, would establish their long-haul capability by starting flights to Europe, Asia and the U.S.A over the coming years and the 787 is the perfect aircraft to achieve this ambition.
The 787 is a family of technologically advanced, super-efficient airplanes with new passenger-pleasing features. It also provides unmatched fuel efficiency and environmental performance, using 20 to 25 percent less fuel and fewer emissions than those it replaces.
"I am pleased to welcome Air Tanzania as the newest member of the Dreamliner family,” said Van Rex Gallard, Boeing Vice President, Latin America, Africa & Caribbean Sales.
“The 787 will significantly increase passenger numbers feeding on to its domestic flights thereby boosting overall tourism to Tanzania," he said.
Now, tourists to Tanzania on mountain climbing and those visiting Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks, three of the seven wonders of the world, would not need to connect a flight to Tanzania, Air Tanzania’s direct flight will bring them straight to the land of Kilimanjaro.

Increasing Local Flight Demand

In order to increase local flight demands, the Government rehabilitees major airports. It is true that for a country the size of Tanzania, it is going to be vital to operate a vibrant, functional aviation industry to facilitate the movement of people and goods locally and abroad.

The airports being rehabilitated would encourage the demand for more local flights. Tanzania would have to reclaim its regional and international routes without much delay.  

According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), Tanzania had 58 airports and more than 300 private airstrips. The Julius Nyerere International Airport (IATA: JNIA), in Dar es Salaam, is the largest and busiest airport in Tanzania. It accounts for over 70% of Tanzania’s air passengers with almost 2.5m in 2015.

The Kilimanjaro International Airport (IATA: KIA), which serves travelers visiting Tanzania’s northern safaris, is the 2nd busiest airport in Tanzania with 780,800 air passengers in 2015. The Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (IATA: ZNZ) is the main airport in the Zanzibar Archipelago.

Other main airports were located in Mwanza, Songwe – Mbeya, Arusha and Dodoma. According to Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance (MoF), recent achievements in the development of Tanzania’s airports include rehabilitation of the Bukoba airport, which has been completed. Rehabilitation for Dodoma, Mafia, Tabora, Shinyanga, Mtwara, and Mwanza airports were in progress.

The construction of a third terminal at the JNIA was in its final stages. The terminal is expected to be the largest at the JNIA with a capacity of handling up to 6m passengers annually. All these airports were crucial for promoting flight demands.

The Author is a business journalist and media consultant based in Dar Es Salaam.0787 17 67 67, derekmurusuri@gmail.com