Air Tanzania
Encyclopedia
Air Tanzania is the national airline of Tanzania
. Its main base is Julius Nyerere International Airport
, Dar es Salaam.
, which had previously served the region. Flights were started from Dar-es-Salaam using Boeing 737-200
s and Fokker F27
s. A Twin Otter
was used for regional services and flights from Kilimanjaro were started. In the mid-1990s, the airline leased an Ethiopian Airlines
Boeing 767
but this aircraft was too large and the airline disposed of it. Regional services were reduced in this period and the Twin Otter was also disposed of.
(PSRC). Advertisements were placed in the local, regional and international media inviting potential bidders. The International Finance Corporation
(IFC) acted as the Lead Advisor to the Government in this transaction.
The government had approved a transaction structure which included:
The following eight airlines submitted Expressions of Interest:
Of the eight, four airlines carried out due diligence – South African Airways
, Kenya Airways
, Comair
and Nationwide
. On 19 September 2002 – bid deadline date, only SAA submitted a bid. Kenya Airways and Nationwide informed the Government that they do not intend to submit bids.
as the winning bidder. In December 2002, SAA after signing an agreement with the government purchased a 49% stake in ATC for USD 20 million; USD 10 million as the value of the shares and the remaining USD 10 million for the Capital and Training Account for financing its proposed business plan.
As the strategic partner, SAA planned to create its East African hub in Dar es Salaam
to form a “Golden Triangle” between Southern, Eastern and Western Africa. It also intended to replace ATC's fleet with Boeing 737-800s, 737-200s and 767-300s. It also planned to introduce regional routes, routes to the Middle East and West Africa. The government was expected to sell 10% of its current 51% stake to a private Tanzanian investor, thereby reducing the government's ownership to a non-controlling interest in ATCL.
The new airline Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) was launched on 31 March 2003, offering direct flights from 1 April between Johannesburg
and Dar Es Salaam
, but also to Zanzibar
and Kilimanjaro.
Air Tanzania recorded a pre-tax loss of almost USD 7.3 million in its first year following privatisation and part ownership by South African Airways. The loss was mainly attributed to the inability to expand the network as quickly and extensively as originally planned. It had been hoped to launch services to Dubai, India and Europe, but these have been delayed as there are only Boeing 737-200s in the fleet. The development of Dar Es Salaam as an East African hub for the South African Airways alliance had also not proceeded as quickly as planned.
On 31 January 2005, Air Tanzania suspended one of its few regional services: Dar es Salaam
to Nairobi
, following intense competition from Kenya Airways
on the route. The airline did however reaffirm intentions to launch long-haul services within a year from Dar es Salaam
to Dubai
, London
, Mumbai
and Muscat
.
24.7 billion. The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority
Director General said "Air Tanzania was in a worse state than before it was taken over by SAA". South African Airways
blamed Tanzania's government for failing to release about USD 30 m needed to implement Air Tanzania's business strategy to reverse continued losses.
On 7 September 2006, the Tanzanian government bought back the 49% stake in ATCL for USD 1 million, hence officially terminating its partnership with South African Airways
. The venture collapsed due to the partners' different interests in the business.
13 billion for: completing operation code ATCL 197 instead of 083, changing revenue systems and fuel services, preparing e-ticketing and accounts systems, using a new trademark, and clearing outstanding debts.
President
Jakaya Kikwete
appointed Mustafa Nyang`anyi, a veteran politician and diplomat Ambassador as the Board Chairman and former Parastatal Pensions Fund Director General, David Mattaka as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
.
From 1 July 2007, ATCL started using its own tickets, Number 197, recognized by the International Air Transport Association
(IATA). The airline had been using a South African ticket stock, Number 083, during the partnership with South African Airways
. The airline also started using electronic ticketing in compliance with the IATA resolution from mid July.
The Parliamentary
Committee on Economic Infrastructure expressed its concern about no funds being set aside for ATCL. According to the opposition, the airline has debts amounting to USD 4 million due to South African Airways
.
A Member of the Tanzanian Parliament
asked the government to claim compensation from South African Airways
for taking aircraft spare parts from the Air Tanzania hangar at the Kilimanjaro International Airport
to South Africa
.
In August 2007, Air Tanzania selected the Revenue Accounting Bureau Service offered by Mercator, the airline IT solutions provider of the Emirates Airline
Group. Once implemented, it will offer benefits such as: enhanced revenue through accurate billing and verification, lowered accounting costs, raised productivity and eliminated training costs.
Air Tanzania was relaunched in September 2007 after the dissolution of the partnership with South African Airways
. The new brand represents the company's name, Mount Kilimanjaro
and the airline's international destinations. The introduction of the airline's new logo bears the image of the imposing giraffe – Tanzania's national icon, to replace the South African Airways
flag symbol.
On 1 October 2007, the revamped Air Tanzania made its inaugural flight on the Dar es Salaam
to Mwanza
via Kilimanjaro
route.
, (TCAA) withdrew the Air Opearator Certificate for Air Tanzania for reasons accruing to mainly unsatisfactory safety and operational manuals. In the same month, Air Tanzania decided to voluntarily resign from IATA membership in order to preserve its status while preparing for the IOSA
audit which is a prerequisite for all member airlines. The company was granted the Air Operator Cerificate by TCAA two weeks later and is now in an a process to return to IATA membership which has taken long because of preparations for the audit.
As of 18 March 2011, Air Tanzania Corporation Limited has effectively been grounded after its sole remaining operational aircraft, a was sent for extensive maintenance to South Africa
. Destinations previously served by Air Tanzania are expected to be taken over by Precision Air
and Fly 540.
moved 583,000 passengers, and Coastal Aviation
141,995 passengers. This makes Air Tanzania currently the third largest carrier in Tanzania. As reporting Tanzanian officials report that there will be collaboration with airline it self as by next year it is stated that he airline will change name and logo to 'FlyTanzania'.
in July 2010 indicate that Air Tanzania is in serious discussions with Air Zimbabwe
to establish extensive and substantive management collaborative arrangements. Both airlines are reported to be in search of strategic partner(s) to shore up their operations which have been in decline over the past decade.
. The servicing cost was US$1 million, but other accummulated expenses brought the total bill to US$3 million, which the Government of Tanzania paid in September 2011. A second Bombardier Q300 will undergo service maintainance, in Tanzania, over the next eight weeks at an extimated cost of US$250,000 and will re-enter service in early 2012. ACTL will in the meantime lease a Fokker 28 aircraft from JetLink Express
on a standby basis, in case their only operational airplane is incapacitated. More aircraft will be procured over the next several months and years, according to the airline's business plan, shared with the media. Air Tanzania codeshares with Air Uganda
and Air Zimbabwe
.
On 21 November 2011, Air Tanzania began negotiations with Export Development Canada
(EDC), to explore ways in which EDC can assist ACTL to acquire more aircrraft from Bombardier
, a Canadian airplane manufacturer. ACTL has plans of increaasing its fleet size to 11 aircraft within the next five years.
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
. Its main base is Julius Nyerere International Airport
Julius Nyerere International Airport
Julius Nyerere International Airport -History:The German colonial Government built the first airport in Tanganyika at Kurasini in Temeke District in 1918. It was called Mkeja Airport....
, Dar es Salaam.
History
Air Tanzania Corporation was established on 10 March 1977 after the breakup of East African AirwaysEast African Airways
East African Airways Corp. was an airline jointly run by three countries in East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania; and Uganda, which were then part of an East African Community. The airline was headquartered in the Sadler House in Nairobi, Kenya...
, which had previously served the region. Flights were started from Dar-es-Salaam using Boeing 737-200
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
s and Fokker F27
Fokker F27
The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:Design of the Fokker F27 started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful Douglas DC-3 airliner...
s. A Twin Otter
De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
was used for regional services and flights from Kilimanjaro were started. In the mid-1990s, the airline leased an Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines , formerly Ethiopian Air Lines, often referred to as simply Ethiopian, is an airline headquartered on the grounds of Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It serves as the country's flag carrier, and is wholly owned by the Government of Ethiopia...
Boeing 767
Boeing 767
The Boeing 767 is a mid-size, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It was the manufacturer's first wide-body twinjet and its first airliner with a two-crew glass cockpit. The aircraft features two turbofan engines, a supercritical wing, and a conventional tail...
but this aircraft was too large and the airline disposed of it. Regional services were reduced in this period and the Twin Otter was also disposed of.
Privatization
The airline was originally wholly owned by the Government of Tanzania via the Air Tanzania Corporation (ATC). In February 2002, the government began the process of privatizing ATC through the Presidential Parastatal Sector Reform CommissionParastatal Sector Reform Commission
The Presidential Parastatal Sector Reform Commission is the organ of the Government of Tanzania under the Public Corporations Act, 1992 as amended in 1993 and 1999, to co-ordinate implementation of the government's economic reform efforts in the form of privatisation.-External links:**...
(PSRC). Advertisements were placed in the local, regional and international media inviting potential bidders. The International Finance Corporation
International Finance Corporation
The International Finance Corporation promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing countries.IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and is headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States....
(IFC) acted as the Lead Advisor to the Government in this transaction.
The government had approved a transaction structure which included:
- Creation of a new company, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), which would be incorporated as a limited liability company, under the Companies Act to take over the operating assets, and specified rights and liabilities of ATC.
- A second new company Air Tanzania Holding Company (ATHCO) would be created to take over the non-operating assets and all other liabilities of ATC.
The following eight airlines submitted Expressions of Interest:
- Aero Asia InternationalAero Asia InternationalAero Asia International was a private airline based in Karachi, Pakistan. It operated domestic and international services.Since May 2007, the airline was suspended from the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan due to the previous management's issues relating to the operating compliance on some CAA...
(PakistanPakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
) - Air Consult International (IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
) - ComairComair (South Africa)Comair is an airline based in South Africa. It operates scheduled services on domestic trunk routes as a British Airways franchisee and an affiliate member of the Oneworld airline alliance. Its main base is OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, with hubs at Cape Town International Airport...
(South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
) - Gulf Air Falcon (United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab EmiratesThe United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
) - Kenya AirwaysKenya AirwaysKenya Airways Ltd., more commonly known as Kenya Airways, is the flag carrier and largest airline of Kenya. The company was founded in 1977, after the dissolution of East African Airways. The carrier's head office is located in Embakasi, Nairobi, with its main base at Jomo Kenyatta International...
- Nationwide AirlinesNationwide AirlinesNationwide Airlines was an airline based in Lanseria, South Africa. It operated scheduled domestic and international services. Its main base was OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg....
(South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
) - Precision AirPrecision AirPrecision Air Services Limited, operating as Precision Air, is the largest airline in Tanzania, based in Dar Es Salaam.-Overview:The airline operates scheduled air services for tourists and business traffic between Dar Es Salaam and Fourteen other airports in Tanzania...
(TanzaniaTanzaniaThe United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
) - South African AirwaysSouth African AirwaysSouth African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
Of the eight, four airlines carried out due diligence – South African Airways
South African Airways
South African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
, Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways Ltd., more commonly known as Kenya Airways, is the flag carrier and largest airline of Kenya. The company was founded in 1977, after the dissolution of East African Airways. The carrier's head office is located in Embakasi, Nairobi, with its main base at Jomo Kenyatta International...
, Comair
Comair (South Africa)
Comair is an airline based in South Africa. It operates scheduled services on domestic trunk routes as a British Airways franchisee and an affiliate member of the Oneworld airline alliance. Its main base is OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, with hubs at Cape Town International Airport...
and Nationwide
Nationwide Airlines
Nationwide Airlines was an airline based in Lanseria, South Africa. It operated scheduled domestic and international services. Its main base was OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg....
. On 19 September 2002 – bid deadline date, only SAA submitted a bid. Kenya Airways and Nationwide informed the Government that they do not intend to submit bids.
ATC-SAA partnership
The government selected South African AirwaysSouth African Airways
South African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
as the winning bidder. In December 2002, SAA after signing an agreement with the government purchased a 49% stake in ATC for USD 20 million; USD 10 million as the value of the shares and the remaining USD 10 million for the Capital and Training Account for financing its proposed business plan.
As the strategic partner, SAA planned to create its East African hub in Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...
to form a “Golden Triangle” between Southern, Eastern and Western Africa. It also intended to replace ATC's fleet with Boeing 737-800s, 737-200s and 767-300s. It also planned to introduce regional routes, routes to the Middle East and West Africa. The government was expected to sell 10% of its current 51% stake to a private Tanzanian investor, thereby reducing the government's ownership to a non-controlling interest in ATCL.
The new airline Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) was launched on 31 March 2003, offering direct flights from 1 April between Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
and Dar Es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...
, but also to Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Zanzibar ,Persian: زنگبار, from suffix bār: "coast" and Zangi: "bruin" ; is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania, in East Africa. It comprises the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the mainland, and consists of numerous small islands and two large ones: Unguja , and Pemba...
and Kilimanjaro.
Air Tanzania recorded a pre-tax loss of almost USD 7.3 million in its first year following privatisation and part ownership by South African Airways. The loss was mainly attributed to the inability to expand the network as quickly and extensively as originally planned. It had been hoped to launch services to Dubai, India and Europe, but these have been delayed as there are only Boeing 737-200s in the fleet. The development of Dar Es Salaam as an East African hub for the South African Airways alliance had also not proceeded as quickly as planned.
On 31 January 2005, Air Tanzania suspended one of its few regional services: Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...
to Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, following intense competition from Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways Ltd., more commonly known as Kenya Airways, is the flag carrier and largest airline of Kenya. The company was founded in 1977, after the dissolution of East African Airways. The carrier's head office is located in Embakasi, Nairobi, with its main base at Jomo Kenyatta International...
on the route. The airline did however reaffirm intentions to launch long-haul services within a year from Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...
to Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
and Muscat
Muscat, Oman
Muscat is the capital of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat. As of 2008, the population of the Muscat metropolitan area was 1,090,797. The metropolitan area spans approximately and includes six provinces called wilayats...
.
Termination of contract
On 31 March 2006, the Government of Tanzania announced that it would dispose of Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) following the four years of loss-making which amounted to TZSTanzanian shilling
The shilingi is the currency of Tanzania, although widespread use of U.S. dollars is accepted. It is subdivided into 100 senti .The Tanzanian shilling replaced the East African shilling in 1966 at par....
24.7 billion. The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority
Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority is the government body that regulates air services and airport services, and provides air navigation services, in Tanzania. It was founded by an Act of Parliament in 2003 and operates under the purview of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development...
Director General said "Air Tanzania was in a worse state than before it was taken over by SAA". South African Airways
South African Airways
South African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
blamed Tanzania's government for failing to release about USD 30 m needed to implement Air Tanzania's business strategy to reverse continued losses.
On 7 September 2006, the Tanzanian government bought back the 49% stake in ATCL for USD 1 million, hence officially terminating its partnership with South African Airways
South African Airways
South African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
. The venture collapsed due to the partners' different interests in the business.
Revamped ATCL
After the partnership between Air Tanzania and South African Airways was officially terminated, the government took the initiative of setting aside TZSTanzanian shilling
The shilingi is the currency of Tanzania, although widespread use of U.S. dollars is accepted. It is subdivided into 100 senti .The Tanzanian shilling replaced the East African shilling in 1966 at par....
13 billion for: completing operation code ATCL 197 instead of 083, changing revenue systems and fuel services, preparing e-ticketing and accounts systems, using a new trademark, and clearing outstanding debts.
President
President of Tanzania
The President of the United Republic of Tanzania is the head of state and head of government of Tanzania. The president leads the executive branch of the Government of Tanzania and is the commander-in-chief of the Tanzania People's Defence Force....
Jakaya Kikwete
Jakaya Kikwete
Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete is the 4th and current President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Kikwete was born in Msoga, Bagamoyo District, Tanganyika in present day Tanzania...
appointed Mustafa Nyang`anyi, a veteran politician and diplomat Ambassador as the Board Chairman and former Parastatal Pensions Fund Director General, David Mattaka as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
.
From 1 July 2007, ATCL started using its own tickets, Number 197, recognized by the International Air Transport Association
International Air Transport Association
The International Air Transport Association is an international industry trade group of airlines headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where the International Civil Aviation Organization is also headquartered. The executive offices are at the Geneva Airport in SwitzerlandIATA's mission is to...
(IATA). The airline had been using a South African ticket stock, Number 083, during the partnership with South African Airways
South African Airways
South African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
. The airline also started using electronic ticketing in compliance with the IATA resolution from mid July.
The Parliamentary
National Assembly of Tanzania
The National Assembly of Tanzania and the President of the United Republic make up the Parliament of Tanzania. The current Speaker of the National Assembly is Hon. Anna Makinda, who presides over an assembly of 357 members.- History :...
Committee on Economic Infrastructure expressed its concern about no funds being set aside for ATCL. According to the opposition, the airline has debts amounting to USD 4 million due to South African Airways
South African Airways
South African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
.
A Member of the Tanzanian Parliament
National Assembly of Tanzania
The National Assembly of Tanzania and the President of the United Republic make up the Parliament of Tanzania. The current Speaker of the National Assembly is Hon. Anna Makinda, who presides over an assembly of 357 members.- History :...
asked the government to claim compensation from South African Airways
South African Airways
South African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
for taking aircraft spare parts from the Air Tanzania hangar at the Kilimanjaro International Airport
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Kilimanjaro International Airport is the second, albeit small, international airport of Tanzania . It serves the Kilimanjaro area including the cities of Arusha and Moshi near Mount Kilimanjaro, and the international tourism industry based on Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro...
to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
In August 2007, Air Tanzania selected the Revenue Accounting Bureau Service offered by Mercator, the airline IT solutions provider of the Emirates Airline
Emirates Airline
Emirates is the airline based in the Emirate of Dubai part of the United Arab Emirates . Based at Dubai International Airport it is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating over 2,400 flights per week, from its hub at Terminal 3, to 111 cities in 62 countries across six continents...
Group. Once implemented, it will offer benefits such as: enhanced revenue through accurate billing and verification, lowered accounting costs, raised productivity and eliminated training costs.
Air Tanzania was relaunched in September 2007 after the dissolution of the partnership with South African Airways
South African Airways
South African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
. The new brand represents the company's name, Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, is a dormant volcano in Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania and the highest mountain in Africa at above sea level .-Geology:...
and the airline's international destinations. The introduction of the airline's new logo bears the image of the imposing giraffe – Tanzania's national icon, to replace the South African Airways
South African Airways
South African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
flag symbol.
On 1 October 2007, the revamped Air Tanzania made its inaugural flight on the Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...
to Mwanza
Mwanza
Mwanza is a mid-sized port city on the southern shores of Lake Victoria in northwestern Tanzania. With an urban population of 1.2 million and a metropolitan population of 2 million, it is Tanzania's second largest city, following Dar es Salaam and ahead of other major Tanzanian cities of Arusha,...
via Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Kilimanjaro International Airport is the second, albeit small, international airport of Tanzania . It serves the Kilimanjaro area including the cities of Arusha and Moshi near Mount Kilimanjaro, and the international tourism industry based on Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro...
route.
Temporary suspension of service
In December 2008, the Tanzania Civil Aviation AuthorityTanzania Civil Aviation Authority
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority is the government body that regulates air services and airport services, and provides air navigation services, in Tanzania. It was founded by an Act of Parliament in 2003 and operates under the purview of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development...
, (TCAA) withdrew the Air Opearator Certificate for Air Tanzania for reasons accruing to mainly unsatisfactory safety and operational manuals. In the same month, Air Tanzania decided to voluntarily resign from IATA membership in order to preserve its status while preparing for the IOSA
IATA Operational Safety Audit
The IATA Operational Safety Audit programme is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline. IOSA uses internationally recognised quality audit principles and is designed to conduct audits in a...
audit which is a prerequisite for all member airlines. The company was granted the Air Operator Cerificate by TCAA two weeks later and is now in an a process to return to IATA membership which has taken long because of preparations for the audit.
As of 18 March 2011, Air Tanzania Corporation Limited has effectively been grounded after its sole remaining operational aircraft, a was sent for extensive maintenance to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. Destinations previously served by Air Tanzania are expected to be taken over by Precision Air
Precision Air
Precision Air Services Limited, operating as Precision Air, is the largest airline in Tanzania, based in Dar Es Salaam.-Overview:The airline operates scheduled air services for tourists and business traffic between Dar Es Salaam and Fourteen other airports in Tanzania...
and Fly 540.
Performance 2010
In July 2010, it was reported that that in 2009 Air Tanzania flew 60,018 passengers, while during the same time the main competitor Precision AirPrecision Air
Precision Air Services Limited, operating as Precision Air, is the largest airline in Tanzania, based in Dar Es Salaam.-Overview:The airline operates scheduled air services for tourists and business traffic between Dar Es Salaam and Fourteen other airports in Tanzania...
moved 583,000 passengers, and Coastal Aviation
Coastal Aviation
Coastal Aviation is an airline operating out of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania since 1988. Management has extensive experience in Air Charter in East Africa that spans several decades....
141,995 passengers. This makes Air Tanzania currently the third largest carrier in Tanzania. As reporting Tanzanian officials report that there will be collaboration with airline it self as by next year it is stated that he airline will change name and logo to 'FlyTanzania'.
New alliances
Press reports out of East AfricaEast Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
in July 2010 indicate that Air Tanzania is in serious discussions with Air Zimbabwe
Air Zimbabwe
Air Zimbabwe is the national airline of Zimbabwe, headquartered in Harare. From its hub at Harare International Airport, the carrier operates a network within southern Africa that also includes Asia and London-Gatwick. The company is a member of the International Air Transport Association, and of...
to establish extensive and substantive management collaborative arrangements. Both airlines are reported to be in search of strategic partner(s) to shore up their operations which have been in decline over the past decade.
Financial performance
| Year Ended | Passengers Flown | Turnover (TZS Tanzanian shilling The shilingi is the currency of Tanzania, although widespread use of U.S. dollars is accepted. It is subdivided into 100 senti .The Tanzanian shilling replaced the East African shilling in 1966 at par.... bn) |
Profit/Loss Before Tax (TZS Tanzanian shilling The shilingi is the currency of Tanzania, although widespread use of U.S. dollars is accepted. It is subdivided into 100 senti .The Tanzanian shilling replaced the East African shilling in 1966 at par.... bn) |
Net Profit/Loss ( TZS Tanzanian shilling The shilingi is the currency of Tanzania, although widespread use of U.S. dollars is accepted. It is subdivided into 100 senti .The Tanzanian shilling replaced the East African shilling in 1966 at par.... bn) |
Basic EPS Earnings per share Earnings per share is the amount of earnings per each outstanding share of a company's stock.In the United States, the Financial Accounting Standards Board requires companies' income statements to report EPS for each of the major categories of the income statement: continuing operations,... (p) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 25.5 | ||||
| 2004 | (8.7 bn) | ||||
| 2005 | (9.3 bn) | ||||
Resumption of service
In November 2011, East African media reported the resumption of service by ACTL, following the return of one Bombardier Q300 from extensive service in South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. The servicing cost was US$1 million, but other accummulated expenses brought the total bill to US$3 million, which the Government of Tanzania paid in September 2011. A second Bombardier Q300 will undergo service maintainance, in Tanzania, over the next eight weeks at an extimated cost of US$250,000 and will re-enter service in early 2012. ACTL will in the meantime lease a Fokker 28 aircraft from JetLink Express
JetLink Express
JetLink Express is a regional airline with its head office in the Freight Complex in Embakasi, Nairobi, Kenya. It operates out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.-Destinations:Jetlink Express serve the following:*Kenya...
on a standby basis, in case their only operational airplane is incapacitated. More aircraft will be procured over the next several months and years, according to the airline's business plan, shared with the media. Air Tanzania codeshares with Air Uganda
Air Uganda
Air Uganda is the designated national airline for Uganda. The company was formed in 2007 and began commercial flight operations on November 15, 2007...
and Air Zimbabwe
Air Zimbabwe
Air Zimbabwe is the national airline of Zimbabwe, headquartered in Harare. From its hub at Harare International Airport, the carrier operates a network within southern Africa that also includes Asia and London-Gatwick. The company is a member of the International Air Transport Association, and of...
.
On 21 November 2011, Air Tanzania began negotiations with Export Development Canada
Export Development Canada
Export Development Canada is Canada's export credit agency. It is a Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Canada, which provides financing and risk management services to Canadian exporters and investors in up to 200 markets worldwide, with spread across all provinces in Canada, and...
(EDC), to explore ways in which EDC can assist ACTL to acquire more aircrraft from Bombardier
Bombardier
Bombardier Inc. is a Canadian conglomerate, founded by Joseph-Armand Bombardier as L'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée in 1942, at Valcourt in the Eastern Townships, Quebec. Over the years it has been a large manufacturer of regional aircraft, business jets, mass transportation equipment, recreational...
, a Canadian airplane manufacturer. ACTL has plans of increaasing its fleet size to 11 aircraft within the next five years.
Destinations
Air Tanzania flies to the following destinations:- Tanzania
- Dar es SalaamDar es SalaamDar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...
- Dar es Salaam International Airport - Main Hub - KigomaKigomaKigoma is a town and lake port in western Tanzania, on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika and close to the border with Burundi. It serves as the capital for the surrounding Kigoma Region and has a population of 135,234 and an elevation of 775 m.The historic trading town of Ujiji is 6 km...
- Kigoma AirportKigoma AirportKigoma Airport is an airport in Kigoma, Tanzania .-Scheduled services:... - TaboraTaboraTabora is the capital city of Tanzania's Tabora Region with a population of 127,880 . Tabora region is one of the largest geographical regions of Tanzania.- History :...
- Tabora AirportTabora AirportTabora Airport is an airport in Tabora, Tanzania .-Scheduled services:... - ArushaArushaArusha is a city in northern Tanzania. It is the capital of the Arusha Region, which claims a population of 1,288,088, including 281,608 for the Arusha District . Arusha is surrounded by some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks...
- Arusha AirportArusha AirportArusha Airport is a small airport serving Arusha, Tanzania.The airport is currently undergoing an expansion which includes an extension of the current runway and new terminal buildings.The airport served 87,252 passengers in 2004....
(beginning January 2012) - Kilimanjaro - Kilimanjaro International AirportKilimanjaro International AirportKilimanjaro International Airport is the second, albeit small, international airport of Tanzania . It serves the Kilimanjaro area including the cities of Arusha and Moshi near Mount Kilimanjaro, and the international tourism industry based on Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro...
(beginning January 2012) - ZanzibarZanzibarZanzibar ,Persian: زنگبار, from suffix bār: "coast" and Zangi: "bruin" ; is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania, in East Africa. It comprises the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the mainland, and consists of numerous small islands and two large ones: Unguja , and Pemba...
- Zanzibar International Airport (beginning January 2012).
- Dar es Salaam
Fleet
The Air Tanzania fleet included the following aircraft (as of November 2011):| Aircraft | Total | Registration | Ownership | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bombardier Dash 8 | 1 | 5H-MWF | Air Tanzania | To enter service in January 2012. |
| Bombardier Dash 8 | 1 | 5H-MWG | Air Tanzania | In service. |
| Fokker 28 | 1 | Leased from JetLink Express JetLink Express JetLink Express is a regional airline with its head office in the Freight Complex in Embakasi, Nairobi, Kenya. It operates out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.-Destinations:Jetlink Express serve the following:*Kenya... |
To enter service in November 2011, if needed. | |
| CRJ 200 | 1 | Leased from JetLink Express JetLink Express JetLink Express is a regional airline with its head office in the Freight Complex in Embakasi, Nairobi, Kenya. It operates out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.-Destinations:Jetlink Express serve the following:*Kenya... |
To enter service in January 2012. | |
| Total | 2 owned and 2 leased from JetLink Express JetLink Express JetLink Express is a regional airline with its head office in the Freight Complex in Embakasi, Nairobi, Kenya. It operates out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.-Destinations:Jetlink Express serve the following:*Kenya... |
More aircraft to be acquired as business picks up. | ||
Accidents and incidents
- On 1 March 2010, Flight 100, operated by Boeing 737-200 5H-MVZ sustained substantial damage when it departed the runway on landing at Mwanza AirportMwanza AirportMwanza International Airport is a major regional international Tanzanian airport located in Mwanza City, Tanzania . It serves as the main hub for as well as Delavia- Far East Airways and a secondary hub for Precision Air and Air Tanzania....
and the nosewheel collapsed. Damage was also caused to an engine.