The Oman Consortium, Al
Hayat Development and Investment Company has promised to provide eight new planes to AIR Tanzania Company Limited,
popularly known as Air Tanzania, which is the national flag-bearer.
During a recently tour of the Julius Nyerere International Airport
(JNIA),the Alhayat Development and Investment Company’s Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, Sheikh Salim Al Harthy said that his
company would bring in four Embraer175 and four Bombardiers as an investment to Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL).
Sheikh Al Harthy said that "we have come here following an
earlier tour to Oman by His Excellency, President Jakaya Kikwete, who asked
investors from our country to come and explore the wider range of opportunities
available here and we are interested in airline services.”
Along with the aircrafts, the investors would also train 10 young aircraft maintenance engineers who
will also specialize in maintenance of Bombardier and Embraer175.
Sheikh Al Harthy requested the ATCL management
to select beneficiaries who will also act as trainers after they have completed
their studies under the company’s sponsorship.
To start with, the company will invest 100 million US dollars and that the
investment will increase gradually.
“We want to provide competitive
airline services in East Africa and provide business and economy classes with
international standards adhered to. We will also give special training to
pilots and air hostess to provide best services,” he said.
He added that the company also
plans to go international by bringing in more planes and ensure that Air
Tanzania becomes one of the biggest airlines in the region. Sheikh Al Harthy
noted further that the company will also erect a 25-storey building in Dar es
Salaam Central Business District also in a joint-venture with ATCL.
“The building will be
multipurpose with airline offices, recreation facilities, hotels and we also
plan to have a big shopping centre within the building and so many other
services,” he said. Earlier during the tour the investors also showed interest
in collaborating with the Tanzania Airport Authority (TAA) to install modern
security facilities at the JNIA.
The Minister for Transport, Dr
Harrison Mwakyembe, welcomed the intention whole heartedly, saying that revival
of ATCL was one of the government’s top priorities.
“I am delighted by the intention
of our Oman brothers and we welcome them to supplement our efforts to revive
ATCL,” he said.
Dr Mwakyembe noted that the
government will take time to go through a Memorandum of Understanding prior to
signing in a move aimed at ensuring a win-win situation in the investment to be
made. He said that the government has already cleared the ATCL balance sheet in
ensuring that the company is debt- free and create a conducive environment for
interested investors.
0 Comments