Tanzania government orders B787-8 "Dreamliner"

Eairlier this week, Tanzania's President John Magufuli held talks with a senior official of American aircraft manufacturer Boeing.

Dr Magufuli's meeting with Boeing's Director of Marketing, Africa, Mr Jim Deboo, centred on the Tanzania government's intention to purchase a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane from the company.

Dr Magufuli said his government has already made an initial payment for the aircraft.

The aircraft will be acquired by the Tanzanian Government Flight Agency (TGFA) which will, in turn, lease it to Air Tanzania.

The plane, which will be able to carry 262 passengers in a three-class configuration, is expected to be delivered in June 2018.

The Dreamliner is expected to be added to Air Tanzania fleet to make it a total of 7 aicraft that will comprise of Bombardier Q300, Q400, CS300 and the Boeing B787-8.

The government is currently implementing a comprehensive plan to revive the national carrier, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL).

Reports from the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication said last week that talks between the government and Boeing on the purchase of the 787-8 were going on and an advance payment of $10 million (Sh21 billion) had already been made. The list price of the 787-8 is $224.6 million according to various international aviation websites.

President Magufuli said the government was committed to strengthening the country's aviation sector.

"The Fifth Phase government plans to purchase four more planes, including three large jetliners, as part of efforts to boost economic growth by making it possible for tourists to fly directly to Tanzania from their countries," a State House statement quoted the President saying.

Magufuli last month said he expected Air Tanzania to use its renewed fleet to begin longhaul flights to the United States, China, and Russia.