Dar eyes international air routes

 

THE government announced yesterday that plans are underway to acquire new Boeing plane as it considers initiating Air Tanzania (ATCL) direct flights to US, China and Russia markets.

President John Magufuli said this during his first address to members of the press. He added that negotiations with the manufacturer are going on and further talks are set for next month.

“We have allocated 10 million US dollars (21.80bn/) as advance payment for a new Boeing,” Dr Magufuli said, adding that three more aircraft are also scheduled to arrive anytime in June, next year. He detailed that the new fleet, which is tailored to revive the nation’s flag carrier, includes two SC 300 jets with up to 300 passenger seats and one Bombardier Dash 8400.

The plan, according to the president, is designed to transform the nation’s infrastructure and to spur development through industries and tourism. According to President Magufuli, Tanzania is not performing well in the tourism industry.

Citing Morocco, the president said the far northern African country registered 10.3 million arrivals last year and expects about 14 million this year, while Tanzania was still struggling with only two million tourist arrivals. He explained that the government commitments on improving infrastructure is undisputed. “We allocated 1trn/- for the construction of the central railway line at standard gauge.

The tender for construction has already attracted more than 40 firms. The project will start from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro in the first phase and will be funded by the government,” he noted. He went on detailing that the government’s plan to shift its administration capital to Dodoma will also open up new tourism attraction sites.

As strategy, he said his administration is embarking on reviving all regional airports and to start with Kigoma, Iringa, Morogoro, Singida and Mwanza to ease landing of flights in the regions. Nevertheless, President Magufuli said his government will ensure by 2018 the national flag carrier can be able to compete with other airline on regional destinations.

“By 2018 we will be in a good position in the airline industry,” he said. Meanwhile, the president said he was prompted to implement the election manifesto which, among other things, campaign for improved economy. Improving infrastructure, according to the head of state, would help improve the economy.

“This is why we’re also working on flyovers at Tazara and other places. The goal is to ease the movement of goods and services.” The government under Magufuli is eying an industry powered economy. Figures from the government show Tanzania will need to generate a 5000MW of electricity up from the current 1500MW to power the industrial economy.

Dr Magufuli said yesterday that doors are open to all investors to invest in the energy sector.