ATCL to resume Johannesburg flights after settlement of dispute

Dar es Salaam. Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) is set to resume flights between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg in November following settlement of a long-standing dispute.

Initially, ATCL will operate flights five times a week on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The carrier’s return to southern African skies comes five years after the impounding of the airline’s Airbus A220-300 in Johannesburg.

This occurred following an order by the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng local division, amid a protracted legal battle between the Tanzanian government and retired farmer Hermanus Steyn.

At the time, Tanzania had landing slots at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, with four direct flights operating from Dar es Salaam.

However, after launching a tense legal fight, it was later determined that the court that issued the impounding order lacked jurisdiction.

The Citizen has independently verified that the dispute has since been resolved, presenting no further hurdles for ATCL. However, details of the settlement remain undisclosed.

Mr Steyn’s lawyer, Roger Wakefield of Werksmans Attorneys, previously stated that his client was owed $33 million, including interest, in compensation from the Tanzanian government after his land was expropriated decades ago.

The farmer was awarded this compensation through arbitration, with the Airbus being chosen for seizure because it was directly owned by the Tanzanian government and its value aligned with the amount owed to Mr Steyn.

The incident hampered the airline’s operations and cast a shadow over its ambitions to expand its network, which now includes a direct flight from Zanzibar to Dubai.

“This resumption has been highly anticipated, and we are thrilled to finally address the demand for direct flights to Johannesburg,” ATCL managing director Ladislaus Matindi said.

He emphasised that this route is a traditional one for Air Tanzania and its return offers numerous benefits for passengers.

Travellers will enjoy the comfort of flying on ATCL’s new Boeing 737-9 MAX, which promises a modern flying experience.

“We are offering direct flights with convenient schedules, which not only saves time by eliminating long layovers but also makes travel between Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam easily accessible for both business and leisure travellers,” Mr Matindi added.

He noted that this resumption strengthens connectivity within the Southern African region and simplifies travel to various African destinations.

“Passengers departing from or arriving in Dar es Salaam will benefit from direct flights, promotional fares, and a range of additional perks, making it an ideal choice for our customers,” Mr Matindi said.

Additionally, the airline’s extensive network will facilitate seamless connections to exciting destinations such as Mumbai, Dubai, Nairobi, Mwanza, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar.

Mt Matindi underscored that the return of flights to Johannesburg was inevitable.

“Historically, South Africa and Tanzania have enjoyed a long-standing relationship, fostering strong ties between our nations. Many people view each country as a second home to the other, and as Tanzania’s national carrier, we feel that we are returning home.”

He expressed confidence that the South African route will be a resounding success, driven by rising demand for travel between the two countries.

“This destination will not only enhance business opportunities but also promote cultural exchange and stimulate various economic and social sectors. We are excited to embark on this promising journey,” Mr Matindi said.