Air Tanzania Company Ltd (ATCL) announced that its newly acquired cargo plane will commence operations on July 28th, following the completion of regulatory procedures.
Speaking at the 47th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), ATCL CEO Mr Ladislaus Matindi stated that the airline was also finalizing pilot training and plane registration before the inaugural flight.
The initial destinations for the cargo plane will include Mumbai, Lubumbashi, Lusaka, Harare, Nairobi, and Entebbe, with plans underway to expand routes to Kinshasha and Lagos.
In addition to these routes, ATCL intends to introduce cargo flights to Dubai and China, depending on the demand from the business community.
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Mr Matindi revealed that the company had encountered technical difficulties with defective engines in Airbuses, which had been a global issue. However, two of the grounded planes are expected to return to service by the end of August or early September.
Furthermore, ATCL had engaged in discussions with Air Senegal in March regarding a joint action against Pratt & Whitney, the manufacturer of the PW1524G-3 engines used in their Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
Mr Matindi expressed optimism that service delivery would be strengthened by mid or end of July, despite similar challenges faced by ATR.
Moreover, the CEO highlighted the high demand for ATCL’s services, with three aircraft currently operating for Mwanza and Dodoma.
Efforts to ensure adequate lighting at Dodoma airport are ongoing, with completion expected by November, allowing travelers to determine their preferred travel times.