Air Tanzania mulls own terminal after receiving new Boeing 737-9 Max

Dar es Salaam. Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) is planning to have its own dedicated terminal at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) as part of the government's ongoing efforts to bolster the national carrier.

The move was revealed by Prime Minister Kassimu Majaliwa on Tuesday March 26, 2024, at a ceremony to receive the newly acquired Boeing 737-9 Max which has added the ATCL fleet to a total of 15 aircraft.

The new plane is named after “Ruaha National Park.”

Mr Majaliwa revealed that the government is currently planning a significant revamp of the terminal to ensure it meets the standards required for ATCL operations.

“It is common for national carriers in other countries to have their terminals,” he said, adding that Terminal Two of the JNIA will be dedicated specifically for ATCL flights within Tanzania.

The move is expected to enhance efficiency and streamline operations for the airline, including the long lasting challenge of maintaining operational costs.

Speaking at the event, ATCL managing director, Mr Ladislaus Matindi, said despite some achievements since its revamping journey started in 2016, there are still some structural and operational challenges that need to be addressed.

He stated that, with the aim of enhancing ATCL's competitiveness in the market, the government had recommended hiring a consultant to assist in reviewing the company’s structure and operations.

“This is done with the intention of obtaining a productive operational structure and system, including finding solutions to the high operating costs caused by the current structure,” said Mr Matindi.

"Despite ATCL receiving a clean bill of financial health, the government has decided to address the high operating costs to make ATCL's finances more realistic,” he added.

He mentioned other operational challenges including the availability of spare parts for aircraft engines, shortage of pilots in the market and shortage of aircraft for short-haul.

“There were also delays in obtaining permits for starting flights as evidenced by cargo flights permits in Kenya and China, as well as permits to resume our services to South Africa,” he said.

So far, he commended the government for actively addressing various challenges, including demonstrating readiness to establish an aviation faculty at the National Institute of Transport (NIT) to tackle the pilot shortage issue.

"We have also been procuring essential spare parts as part of our aircraft procurement efforts. In ATCL's operations, we continue to acquire parts as necessary, including through special procurement processes," Mr Matindi remarked.

"However, this challenge persists, primarily due to disruptions in the supply chain of parts caused by the Covid-19 pandemic," he noted.

Local pilots Mbarouk Mohammed Suleiman and Mushi Herman Cyril were tasked with flying the Boeing 737-9 Max from Seattle, USA, to Tanzania.

The specifications of the newly acquired aircraft include a capacity to carry 181 passengers, a fuel capacity of 25,800 liters, a speed of 853 km/h, a wingspan of 117 ft/35.9m, a length of 138 ft/42.1m, and a range of 3,250 nautical miles.