How aviation industry flies on the wings of booming tourism sector

Dar es Salaam. The thriving tourism sector is intricately linked with the expansion of the aviation industry, with private investors capitalising on the surge in tourist numbers to grow their operations, as reported by The Citizen.

Flight Link, a pioneering aviation company, has emerged as a key player in this growth, evolving from its charter flight origins in 2001 to becoming a major force in scheduled flights.

The airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr Jameel Kassam, shared insights into the company's journey and the strategic decisions that have propelled them to new heights in an exclusive interview with The Citizen. He noted that Flight Link's foray into scheduled flights began with a keen eye on the needs of the people. Recognising a gap in the market, the company pioneered flights to Mbeya and Dodoma, setting the stage for its evolution, he told The Citizen in an interview recently.

“The transition to twin-engine operations followed, demonstrating our commitment to safety and efficiency,” he noted.

In 2015, Flight Link strategically shifted its focus to tourism, establishing a presence in major tourist hubs such as Serengeti, Arusha, and Zanzibar. As tourism flourished, the company made bold moves to increase capacity by importing Embraer 120 aircraft, becoming the first Tanzanian company to operate this equipment.

In response to escalating demand, Flight Link expanded its fleet with the acquisition of two Air Transport International (ATI) aircraft in the last two years, with plans underway for a third. “This strategic move aligns with the surge in tourist activities in Tanzania,” Mr Kassam highlighted.

"The biggest force driving us to expand our investment in Tanzania is the increase in tourist activities in the country," emphasised Mr Kassam. “We aim to capitalise on this trend, aligning our services with the rising demand for travel.”

Acknowledging the challenges within the aviation industry, Mr Kassam discussed the post-Covid difficulties, including supply chain disruptions and soaring prices for aircraft components.

"We are trying to be different and unique in our services and our products," Mr Kassam stated. The company uses new generation seats, with plans to introduce premium economy seats to enhance the customer experience,” he said.

Mr Kassam highlighted the significant improvements in airport facilities, citing expansions at Arusha airport, upgrades at Dodoma airport, and extensions at Pemba airport. “These developments have enabled Flight Link to transition to larger 72-seater aircraft to meet the growing demand,” he affirmed.

Reports have it that when President Samia Suluhu Hassan took the mantle of the country’s leadership on March 17, 2021, the tourism sector was still in shock.

The number of visitors had plummeted to about 600,000 (in 2020) from a record 1.5 million tourists recorded in 2019. Although the economy was not entirely in distress, the fall of visitors' earnings rattled foreign exchange as tourism had been the largest earner.

By the end of 2021, figures of tourism arrivals had gone up to slightly over 900,000 from a mere 600,000 recorded for the entire year of 2020.

The gains continued, and in the year ending January 2023, travel receipts almost doubled to $2.641 billion as tourist arrivals rose to 1,500,648 from 938,017 during the preceding year, the Bank of Tanzania's latest figures show.

The government is in a good position to achieve its goal of receiving five million tourists by 2025. The number would earn the economy a hefty $6 billion, roughly four times what was generated last year when 1.4 million tourist arrivals were recorded, reports say.

Aviation experts like Dr Jane Marwa commended Flight Link for its strategic moves, noting that "the company's responsiveness to market dynamics and commitment to innovation set it apart in the industry."

An economist specialising in tourism, Prof Ahmed Mwinyi, emphasised the positive ripple effect of increased tourism. "When tourists increase, many sectors benefit, leading to the creation of jobs and the growth of ancillary businesses," he remarked.

Looking ahead

Mr Kassam shared Flight Link's vision for the next five years: an ambitious plan to expand the network both within Tanzania and internationally.

“This is the fruit of an improved tourism environment. Flight Link's success story mirrors Tanzania's thriving tourism sector, illustrating how private investors in aviation are capitalising on the country's renewed appeal to global travellers, and this is just the beginning,” affirmed Prof Mwinyi.