Tanzania: ATCL Introduces Fourweekly Flights to Mbeya

AIR Tanzania made its maiden flight to Songwe International Airport in Mbeya on Monday, using its newly acquired 50-seater Canadian CRJ-200 Jet aircraft.

The one-hour Dar -Mbeya flight, is scheduled for four days a week; Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

It has been welcomed by passengers and businessmen frequenting Mbeya region and Tanzania Commercial Capital City, Dar es Salaam.

Speaking during the historic inauguration at Songwe, the airline's Acting Commercial Director, Mr Juma Boma, said ATCL has made a comeback to the economic hub of the southern highlands regions and gateway to South African Development Community (SADC) countries.

"The long awaited Air Tanzania flight to Mbeya has officially started today (Monday). Using our newly acquired aircraft, we offer fast and safe transport, connecting Mbeya to other regions.

For only one hour, our passengers are sure of landing at Songwe from Dar es Salaam. "We have considered all the parameters of economies and pegged our introductory fare at 150,000/- for a one way ticket and 260,000/- for a return ticket," Mr Boma said.

He said the launch of Mbeya route is part of implementation of the airline's ambitious and aggressive expansion plan, which aims at reviving all local and international routes as well as opening up other new routes.

Mr Boma explained that based on its go-green strategy which will also see the national flag carrier acquiring other two more 78-seater new generation types aircraft by end of May this year, the airline will be able to increase flight frequencies on current major routes and increase its international footprint.

"With the expansion of our fleet, our guests will enjoy daily flights from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, with departure time from Dar es Salaam being 1600hrs and from Mwanza at 1700hrs.

We will be going to Mbeya four times a week. We will also be flying to Moroni in Comoro on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. We also intend to open up Tabora -Mpanda route soon," he said.

He mentioned that the airline has also waived some penalties imposed on no show passengers or those seeking change of reservation, saying that this will save their passengers from incurring extra costs in case they encounter unforeseen emergencies before travelling.

One of the passengers who boarded the aircraft to Mbeya, Deogratius Nyanshile, applauded Air Tanzania for the bold decision and asked Tanzanians to support the airline by flying Air Tanzania. "I call upon Mbeya residents to fully use this opportunity provided by Air Tanzania," said Mr Nyanshile.

The National flag carrier, which used to ply the route and only stopped due to the bad condition of old Mbeya airport, has resumed after partial completion of Songwe International Airport.

Using its Bombardier Dash- 8, ATCL is currently flying to over eight destinations in Tanzania that includes Mtwara, Mwanza, Tabora, Kigoma, Dar es Salaam, Bujumbura, Mbeya and to Moroni in the Comoros.