Air Tanzania takes delivery of its fifth Dash8-Q400
Between 2016 and 2019, Air Tanzania's fleet has been growing at a rate of two brand new aircraft every year. The Tanzanian state-owned carrier now has eight aircraft, including two Dreamliners. In line with its business plan, three new aircraft are expected to be added by next year. It is counting on this operational reinforcement to turn around its cash flow deficit of the last five years.
Air Tanzania took delivery of its fifth Dash8-Q400 on Friday 30 July. The aircraft (msn 4624, 5H-TCK, named Saadani National Park), landed in the afternoon at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar-Es Salaam and was welcomed on arrival by the President of the Republic Samia Suluhu Hassa.
According to the technical specifications, the brand new aircraft can accommodate up to 78 passengers, of which 10 are in Business Class and 68 in Economy Class. With a range of 2063 km, it will help strengthen the airline's domestic and regional network.
In recent years, the Tanzanian government has made huge investments to boost the competitiveness of its national flag carrier. In five years, Air Tanzania's fleet has more than doubled to nine aircraft, including two Dreamliner 787-8s, two Airbus A220-300s, five Dash 8-400s and two more Airbus A220-300s are expected to be added by next year, according to Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, who addressed Parliament in April.
By strengthening the fleet, the state intends to give all the operational means to Air Tanzania to recover after half a decade in the red. In a report made public in April this year, Comptroller and Auditor General Charles Kichere revealed that the company had incurred losses of up to 150 billion shillings ($64.6 million) over the past five years - including 60 billion shillings in 2020. Over the same period, the company has seen its debt grow to 45 billion shillings ($19.4 million). "Air Tanzania's planes flying abroad can be seized, that's a fact," warned Charles Kichere, saying "there are several challenges that the government should address immediately.
