ALLY HAMISI

Precision Air has launched its frequent flyer program dubbed PAA Royal, becoming the first airline in the country to offer such a product for its customers.

PAA Royal is a frequent flyer programme that will distinguish its members from other travelers by giving them exclusive treatment, changing the way they travel in and around the country.

Speaking to the East African Business Week in Dar es Salaam last week, the Airlines' Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alfonse Kioko, said the programme has been designed to reward the airline's frequent flying customers with the most rewarding service.

"This is a programme through which we will be able to reward our loyal customers and the airline is so excited to be the pioneer of this new product in Tanzania." said Mr Kioko.

Mr Kioko said the PAA Royal members can earn points on every flight they take and the more points a member collects the more exclusive their benefits become.

Members will progress through four types of tiers identified by their membership cards which are Jade, Silver, Gold and Tanzanite and that the cards come with various benefits.

The Airlines Marketing Manager, Mr Emillian Rwejuna, said some of the benefits as Exclusive Sales Desk, Preferred Seating, Priority waitlist/airport stand-by, Priority telephone reservations service, 10 and 15 per cent point's bonus, priority economy seat purchase for up to two people including card holder and priority boarding among others.

He urged the agents to encourage passengers to enroll onto the programme by visiting the airlines website, sales desks and the airlines offices adding that the programme will soon expand to other areas.

A frequent flyer programme (FFP) is a loyalty programme offered by many airlines world over where customers enrolled in the programme accumulate frequent flyer miles (kilometres, points, segments) corresponding to the distance flown on that airline.

Acquired miles or points can be redeemed for free air travel, for other goods or services; or for increased benefits, such as travel class upgrades, airport lounge access or priority bookings.

In a view of expanding its fleet modernization programme, in 2006 PW and ATR of France signed a US $129 million deal to deliver seven brand new aircraft.

The first of the seven aircraft arrived in March 2008. Since then the airline has received three more ATR 72-500s making a total of four brand new aircraft to-date.

The fleet modernization programme will see PW fly the youngest fleet in Africa as older aircraft are replaced with brand new aircraft. So far the airline has retired one ATR42.