Captain Richard Saidi (right) speaks to the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Lazaro Nyalandu (left) immediately after touching down at Arusha airport.The national flag carrier, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), is back to Arusha and Zanzibar skies and has promised to offer six frequencies a week to the two destinations.
The maiden flight from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, was also boarded by the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Lazaro Nyalandu from Dar es Salaam to Arusha and Dr Mwinyihaji Haji Makame, Zanzibar Minister of State in the President’s Office (Good Governance).
The flights have brought hope to tourists connecting from Arusha to Zanzibar and back to Dar es Salaam. Speaking shortly after arriving at Arusha airport, Minister Nyalandu, said the comeback of the national carrier to Arusha and Zanzibar routes would boost tourism sector and connectivity between two major tourist destinations.
“It is my pleasure to tell tourists, guests visiting our country and my fellow Tanzanians that Air Tanzania is back in the skies.
I have boarded this first flight and I want to assure all that flying with Air Tanzania is comfortable, they offer true Tanzanian hospitality on board and it is safe.
“Today’s flight speaks louder on competition in the aviation industry which has just started. Air Tanzania should ensure it maintains the good services being offered and it will win back trust of many patriotic passengers,” Mr Nyalandu said.
Mr Juma Boma, Acting Commercial Director at ATCL, said the Dar es Salaam-Arusha- Zanzibar route is part of his company’s expansion plan to reach to as many destinations as possible.
“We are delighted to be strengthening our services as the national carrier, as we plan to continue expanding our horizons locally and internationally.
“Our ultimate goal as national carrier is to continue offering our services at affordable rates, as well as increasing passengers’ convenience.”
This is why we have even waived Noshow penalties and charges on changing travelling date,” he said. Minister Makame said it was delighting to see ATCL flying back to Zanzibar after suspending its services to the isle for more than four years, but wanted ATCL to observe time and ensure that they minimise cancelation of flights if they want to win back trust of many passengers.
Arusha Urban District Commissioner (DC), Mr John Mongela, said that the commencement of ATCL’s flight to the East African headquarters and the ‘Geneva of Africa’ has rekindled light that shone on the image of the national carrier during international gatherings in Arusha.
“This is a very wise move for ATCL. Arusha not only offers opportunity for the airline to transport tourists directly from Dar es Salaam to Arusha and then connecting to Zanzibar, but also gives them an opportunity to transport international dignitaries who frequent Arusha for meetings,” he said.
At the moment, ATCL will be using its 50-seater Bombardier Dash-8 to ply this lucrative route.
0 comments:
Post a Comment