By
Special Aviation Correspondent, Montreal, 10-01-2019:
TANZANIA is about to make history again, when its national airline,
Air Tanzania, debuts the second Airbus 220 in a grand plan to consolidate its fleet,
intensifying competition in the regional aviation business.
Air
Tanzania, continues to keep East Africans’ heads up. It is a growing airline
that operates all new aircraft, solidifying its positioning deep in the
pristine African skies.
Air
Tanzania is the only African airline on the continent that flies Airbus’ newest
product, A220 series. Aviation business experts sees an end to the dominance of giant
airlines in the region.
This
January 2019, hardly a month since the Air Tanzania became the first African
airliner to introduce the airbus 220 in African skies, Tanzania brings its
sister aircraft, right from the manufacturer’s workshop in Mirabel in Montreal.
Tanzania's newest Airbus, thanks to President Magufuli's devoted axctions |
Success Story
In
December last year, Tanzania became the first nation in Africa and the fifth in
the world to fly Airbus 220 in an ambitious and comprehensive programme to
consolidate its airline business.
Three
years on, Tanzania continue to witness rapid economic transformations in all
key sectors of the economy. Business gurus would say, “it is the man on top.”
This is
correct, thanks to President John Pombe Magufuli who continues to introduce
management efficiency in Tanzania, a new culture that transforms the continent
right from Tanzania. Efficiency
is the only credible way to deliver great results in both corporate world and
in the running of governments.
Tanzania
and Africa are grappling with this challenge. Throughout his office tenure as
Minister in three different ministries, Dr Magufuli is a proven performer and
efficient administrator.
Clearly,
as in any corporate world, performance determines the future of the
organization. Successful growth of the Tanzania’s flag carrier is, therefore,
another pragmatic testament of Dr. Magufuli’s unbeatable record.
Tanzania
is the fifth fastest growing economy in Africa. It is also projected as the
fourth fastest growing economy in the world for the next decade. Indeed this is
a success story.
Airbus 220
The A220 is unrivalled passenger comfort
aircraft with remarkable performance. It makes a lot of economic sense to
operate the aircraft profitably. It has a seating capacity of above 130. It is 38.7m
long and 11.5m wide. The wings extend to 35.1m and flies 5,920km without
refueling. The aircraft’s fuel tanks host 21,918 liters.
The airbus, already tried in Tanzania,
provides unmatched fuel efficiency and environmental performance with fewer
emissions. The passengers would enjoy more freedom with wide and comfortable
seats.
“This aircraft makes an excellent asset to
further develop Air Tanzania’s business network,” says Tito Kasambala, CEO for
the Government’s Flight Agency.
The plan works. Comparing to 2016 where the
airliner had on only one aircraft with a market share of just 2.5 per cent,
three years today, its market share has grown to hold 32 per cent.
Investments and Performance
The Government of Tanzania which owns the
aircrafts and leases them out to Air Tanzania Corporation (ATC), has made
significant investments in the past three years.
The sister Airbus 220 to be delivered, brings
Air Tanzania’s active fleet to six. The fleet comprises three propeller-driven
Bombardier Dash-8s, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and the two Airbus 220.
The Government of Tanzania has pressed another
order for two more aircrafts. They are expected to bring the fleet to 8.The aircrafts are Bombardier Q400 and Boeing
787 Dreamliner. The two jets are expected to be delivered by 2020.
The Airline business could not always be an
end in itself. It could be the means to an end. All large economies in the
world were complemented by their airlines. It is hard to do without.
Apart from improving the tourism industry, one
of key stable sources of revenues, the airline would boost trade and
investments.
Air Tanzania’s contribution to trade,
business, investments, diplomacy and branding cannot be played down.
The model is proven right. Air Tanzania’s
revenues doubled in less than three years of operation. The service demand is huge and continues to
grow. The number of passengers has increased tremendously. The airline flies
432,000 passengers per year up from 48,000 in 2015.
“When we talk of Magufuli’s incredible
performance, we do not blow things out of proportions. Plenty of evidence is
all around for the world to verify. The new era most of us waited for too long
is finally here,” says Rosemary John, a nursing practitioner.
Air Tanzania resumes International
Flights in 10 years
Air
Tanzania resumed international flights in September last year (2018), the first
time in nearly 10 years.
Air Tanzania now flies to Bujumbura, Entebbe and Moroni. President Magufuli, the brain behind these achievements, says more international routes (out of Africa) were in pipeline. They include Bombay (India), Bangkok (Thailand), Guangzhou (China), United Kingdom and others to be announced later.
Tanzania is ready for Change to serious business
“This is a clear testimony of our resolve as a
people; that Tanzanians are capable of making things happen,” President
Magufuli says.
When sworn in office on 5 November 2012,
Tanzania’s flag carrier, Air Tanzania, had only one aircraft with barely 50
seating capacity. Today, a number of active fleet is six and growing.
Thanks God, this is a man who believes and has seeing what he believes.
ReplyDeleteGod bless him abdantly so that at the end of his term many people should earn what they voted for.