ATCL resumes flights to South Africa as it prepares for cargo flights to China
What you need to know:
- As these flights resume, ATCL is also preparing to launch cargo flights between Tanzania and Guangzhou, China, after receiving a permit in October this year.
- Steyn's lawyer previously stated that his client was owed $33 million, including interest, in compensation from the Tanzanian government after his land was expropriated four decades ago.
Dar es Salaam. Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) has resumed its flights to South Africa, starting today, November 30, 2024, after it suspended its flights October 2019.
Initially, the national carrier will operate flights five times a week—on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
The 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 from the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng local division, amid a protracted legal battle between the Tanzanian government and retired farmer Hermanus Steyn.
As these flights resume, ATCL is also preparing to launch cargo flights between Tanzania and Guangzhou, China, after receiving a permit in October this year.
During the relaunch event, Transport Minister Professor Makame Mbarawa emphasized the importance of reassessing international flight routes to meet market demand and optimize the airline’s business strategy to minimize operational costs and losses.
He highlighted the government’s continued investments in the aviation sector, including aircraft acquisition, airport construction, and advanced navigation systems.
“This step is critical for stimulating the growth of the aviation sector and the national economy as a whole, as it will create business opportunities between Tanzania and South Africa and boost tourism,” said Professor Mbarawa.
He also announced plans to allocate more capital for ATCL’s development and strengthen supportive infrastructure to enable competitive and sustainable services both locally and internationally. Future infrastructure projects include maintenance hangars at Julius Nyerere and Kilimanjaro International Airports, as well as cargo handling facilities.
To expand its regional and international reach, Tanzania has already procured 16 aircraft for ATCL, with three more expected in the 2024/2025 fiscal year. Prof Mbarawa stressed the need for ATCL to ensure these assets are efficiently utilized.
Although the aircraft was released two weeks later, flights to Johannesburg remained suspended, The Citizen in early November independently verified that the dispute has since been resolved, presenting no further hurdles for ATCL; however, the details of the settlement remain undisclosed.
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 four decades ago
Newly appointed ATCL CEO Peter Ulanga noted that the suspension had created significant challenges for travelers between Tanzania and South Africa.
He stated that the resumption of flights will enhance economic and social ties between the two nations, stimulate intra-African trade, and improve passenger services.
The renewed flights will cut travel time to 3 hours and 15 minutes between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg, compared to the previous 6–7 hours required via connecting routes. The service will also facilitate connections for passengers traveling from destinations such as Mumbai, Guangzhou, and Dubai.
