FIRST NEW AIRCRAFT IN A GENERATION EXCITES TANZANIANS
(Posted 20th September 2016)
As previously reported here will the first of two brand new Bombardier Q400NG aircraft, painted in the livery of Air Tanzania, arrive later today in Dar es Salaam. The aircraft and crew and senior staff on board the ferry flight will no doubt experience a hero’s welcome as this marks a watershed in the checkered corporate life of Ar Tanzania.
Privatised and then reversed has ATCL undergone financially hard times, failing to several times secure a private core investor and often having to halt flights due to lack of aircraft. Bodged deals for aircraft purchases and leases led to a huge debt burden and government, time and again, had to bail out the airline.
After taking stock and analyzing the situation of Air Tanzania, with limited input by present and former managers of ATCL, did the Magufuli government then decide to make a major statement for the revival of the national airline by ordering two brand new turboprops of Bombardier Q400NG make. Notably is the government of Tanzania the owner and not the airline itself, perhaps a sign of caution on the side of government while giving the new ATCL management a chance to prove themselves.
The first of two will be landing in Dar es Salaam today, soon to be followed by her sistership and additional aircraft purchases or leases are reportedly in the pipeline to finally give the airline the tools to make a full market re-entry and reclaim traffic share on routes hitherto dominated by other airlines.
For the aircraft, crews and passengers it is happy landings from here on.
News on the delivery of the second aircraft and upcoming breaking news on additional fleet expansion will be posted here as and when confirmed.
