Air Tanzania to expand fleet with the arrival of a second Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft
What you need to know:
- The aircraft is expected to arrive from the United States, further bolstering ATCL's operations as the government continues injecting billions into the state-run company.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania's national carrier, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), is set to boost its fleet with the arrival of a second Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft on March 26.
The aircraft is expected to arrive from the United States, further bolstering ATCL's operations as the government continues injecting billions into the state-run company.
This latest addition will bring ATCL's fleet to a total of 14 aircraft, which includes two Boeing B737-9 Max models acquired in October 2023.
Just like the first purchase, the new Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft is designed to accommodate 181 passengers and has an impressive range of 3,250 nautical miles.
Air Tanzania placed its order with Boeing at the Dubai Air Show in November 2021 in an agreement that will see the carrier take on two new 737 MAX 9s and another 787-8 Dreamliner, along with the 767-300 Freighter that arrived last year.
These latest purchases put Tanzania on the continental and global aviation map. On top of being the first African operator of the new MAX 9, Air Tanzania is also the continent's first operator of a 767 freighter.
The planes are owned by the state-run Tanzania Government Flight Agency (TGFA) and are leased to Air Tanzania.
The airline already operates two Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, a Boeing 767-300F and a Boeing 737 MAX.
Its Boeing fleet is complemented by four Airbus A220-300s and five De Havilland Dash 8s.
Air Tanzania welcomed the first Boeing 737 MAX into its fleet in October 2023. In doing so, the airline became the first in Africa to receive the larger 737 MAX 9 variant.
The plane (registration: 5H-TCP) departed Boeing Field Airport (BFI) and arrived in Dar es Salaam (DAR) via San Juan and Dakar.
"The acquisition of our first Boeing 737-9 marks a significant milestone for Air Tanzania, a momentous occasion that echoes the spirit of the Wings of Kilimanjaro. This advanced airplane is fulfilling our promise to deliver an extraordinary experience to our customers. As we ascend to new heights, Air Tanzania enhances the fleet's capabilities and exemplifies its commitment while extending our appreciation to Boeing as an invaluable partner in enabling our vision," said Air Tanzania Managing Director Ladislaus Matindi after the government's purchase of the first Max series.
Preference for the Boeing Max airlines, despite the size of the aircraft, is due to the fact that they also offer major efficiency upgrades, including a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions.
As Tanzania leads the way in Africa in the purchase of Boeing models, demand for the MAX remains strong, with Boeing aiming to reach its pre-pandemic MAX production rate of 52 per month by December 2024 and a record 57 per month by July 2025.
