Travel 

Sunday, May 25, 2014 

Tanzanian national carrier returns to Zanzibar

ARRIVAL: Nyalandu with Captain Richard Shaidi soon after touchdown at Zanzibar City airport last week.

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania - Tanzania’s national flag carrier, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), has made a comeback to Arusha and Zanzibar skies after a long absent.

Airline officials are promising six frequencies a week to these two popular tourist destinations.

Speaking shortly after arriving at Arusha airport last week, Lazaro Nyalandu, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, said ATCL’s return will boost the tourism sector and easy connectivity between the major  tourists destinations.

“It is my pleasure to tell tourists, guests visiting our country and my fellow Tanzanians that Air Tanzania is back in the sky. I have boarded this first flight and I want to assure all that flying with Air Tanzania is comfortable. They offer true Tanzania hospitality on board and it is safe,” he said on arrival in Zanzibar.

Together with Nyalandu on the maiden flight was also Dr Mwinyihaji Haji Makame, the Minister for State in the President’s Office (Good Governance). 

“Today’s flight speaks louder that a true competition in the aviation sector has just started. Air Tanzania should ensure it maintains the good service it offers and it will win back trust of many patriotic passengers,” Nyalandu said.

Juma Boma, the acting Commercial Director at ATCL, said the Dar es Salaam- Arusha–Zanzibar route is part of their company’s expansion plan to reach as many destinations as possible. 

“We are delighted to be strengthening our services as the national carrier, as we plan to continue expanding our horizons locally and internationally.

“Our ultimate goal as national carrier is to continue offering our services at affordable rates, as well as increasing passengers’ convenience. This is why we have even waived no-show penalties and charges on changing traveling date,” he said.

Zanzibar Minister, Mwinyihaji Haji Makame, said it was delighting to see ATCL flying back to Zanzibar after suspending its services to the isle for more than four years.

However he asked the ATCL management to respect punctuality and minimize cancelation of flights if they want to win back trust of many passengers.     

Speaking during the reception of the first flight at the Arusha Airport, Arusha Urban District Commissioner John Mongela said revival of ATCL’s flights to the East African Headquarters and the ‘Geneva of Africa’. 

“This is a very wise move for ATCL. Arusha not only offers an opportunity for the airline to transport tourists directly from Dar es Salaam to Arusha and then connect to Zanzibar, but also gives them an opportunity to transport international dignitaries who frequent Arusha for meetings,” he said. 

By Patrick Kisembo, Sunday, May 25th, 2014