AIR Tanzania Captain Richard Shaidi talks to
the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Lazaro Nyalandu
shortly after landing at Arusha Airport on Wednesday aboard the
airline's 50-seater Bombardier Dash-8 aircraft.
THE national flag carrier, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), is
back to Arusha and Zanzibar skies and has promised to offer six
frequencies a week to the two destinations.
The maiden flight from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, was
also boarded by the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr
Lazaro Nyalandu from Dar es Salaam to Arusha and Dr Mwinyihaji Haji
Makame, Zanzibar Minister of State in the President's Office (Good
Governance).
The flights have brought hope to tourists connecting from Arusha to
Zanzibar and back to Dar es Salaam. Speaking shortly after arriving at
Arusha airport, Minister Nyalandu, said the comeback of the national
carrier to Arusha and Zanzibar routes would oost tourism sector and
connectivity between two major tourist destinations.
"It is my pleasure to tell tourists, guests visiting our country and
my fellow Tanzanians that Air Tanzania is back in the skies.
I have boarded this first flight and I want to assure all that flying
with Air Tanzania is comfortable, they offer true Tanzanian hospitality
on board and it is safe.
"Today's flight speaks louder on competition in the aviation industry
which has just started. Air Tanzania should ensure it maintains the
good services being offered and it will win back trust of many patriotic
passengers," Mr Nyalandu said.
Mr Juma Boma, Acting Commercial Director at ATCL, said the Dar es
Salaam-Arusha- Zanzibar route is part of his company's expansion plan to
reach to 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 Noshow penalties and charges on
changing travelling date," he said. Minister Makame said it was
delighting to see ATCL flying back to Zanzibar after suspending its
services to the isle for more than four years, but wanted ATCL to
observe time and ensure that they minimise cancelation of flights if
they want to win back trust of many passengers.
Arusha Urban District Commissioner (DC), Mr John Mongela, said that
the commencement of ATCL's flight to the East African headquarters and
the 'Geneva of Africa' has rekindled light that shone on the image of
the national carrier during international gatherings in Arusha.
"This is a very wise move for ATCL. Arusha not only offers
opportunity for the airline to transport tourists directly from Dar es
Salaam to Arusha and then connecting to Zanzibar, but also gives them an
opportunity to transport international dignitaries who frequent Arusha
for meetings," he said.
At the moment, ATCL will be using its 50-seater Bombardier Dash-8 to ply this lucrative route.
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