Purchase of new aircraft for ATCL on course
What you need to know:
President John Magufuli has promised to replenish the Air Tanzania Company Limited fleet and return it to its lost glory. He said some aircraft would be bought by September to enable the troubled national carrier resume smooth operations.
Dar es Salaam. Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced yesterday that it has signed a purchase agreement with the government of Tanzania for two Q400 turboprop airliners.
The aircraft will be used for commercial airline operations in the region, the statement released on Monday said.
Tanzania is set to pay approximately Sh130 billion. “Our Q400 aircraft will provide affordable, convenient and comfortable air transport solutions,” Dr Leonard Chamuriho, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Communication, was quoted as saying in the statement.
“Tanzania is a large country with some challenging airfields, and the Q400 turboprop’s capability to operate at these airports, were key factors that guided us in selecting the aircraft for our operations,” added Dr Chamuriho.
President John Magufuli has promised to replenish the Air Tanzania Company Limited fleet and return it to its lost glory. He said some aircraft would be bought by September to enable the troubled national carrier operate smoothly.
Bombardier aircraft have been a common feature in the ATCL fleet since the breakup of a partnership with the South African Airways in 2006. Currently the loss making airliner operates Bombardier Dash 8 Q300 and a Bombardier CRJ200.
