Air Tanzania Company Limited
(ATCL) has yesterday January 16, 2017, launched its first direct flights to Dodoma
from Dar es Salaam in a historic event that will promote business and travel
ties between the two cities and upcountry regions.
Launching the route yesterday,
Prime Minister Mr Kassim Majaliwa said the development is part of the
government decision to enable Dodoma become a fulladministrative capital for
the country.
"Negotiations are
progressing well to build an international airport in Msalato. All the process
are indeed going on well," he announced at a gathering shortly after ATCL
plane made its first landing on Dodoma soil from Dar es Salaam.
ATCL will operate twice a week
scheduled flights using its Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, stretched to 78 passengers.
The fleet is scheduled to be connecting to Kigoma every Monday and Friday.
The premier explained that the
government will continue expanding and renovating Dodoma Airport and the
airstrip after all the legible residents are fully compensated as per the law.
"We're opening up new opportunities for Dodoma residents, this will give
Dodoma a deserving status as the country's capital.
" Mr Majaliwa reaffirmed the
government commitment to the national flag carrier but challenged ATCL
management to maintain an opposedcustomer service which fit to international
standards.
The new flights schedules which
was announced to be cheap at a price of 180,000/- is set to raise a serious
challenge to other route operators whose fare are as high as 400,000/-.
"It's high time that
business people, government officials and ordinary people start flying with Air
Tanzania," The occasion was also attended by the former prime minister Mr
John Malecela, the National Assembly Speaker Mr Job Ndugai, Minister in the
Office of the Prime Minister (Policy, Parliament, Youth, Employments and the
Disabled) Ms Jenista Mhagama and the Dodoma Regional Commissioner (RC) Mr
Jordan Rugimbana.
ATCL Board Chairman Engineer
Emmanuel Korosso said ATCL delayed launching flights to Dodoma and other parts
of the country as pilots were pursuing training course. "We're expecting
to launch flights to Mtwara, Tanga, Tabora, Mafia and Iringa.
We are determined to offer best
customer services in all our routes," he said. Minister Mhagama told the
gathering that the fifth government is committed to meet all its promises
including the revival of ATCL.
"All the flights which have
been promised will come to service different parts of the country," he
noted. On his part, Mr John Malecela, former cabinet minister said the
government move to launch Dodoma route will spur economic development in the
region.
The Ministry for Works, Transport
and Communication embarked on an expansion plan of Dodoma Airport following the
decision by the government to officially migrate to Dodoma from Dar es Salaam
to allow the newly purchased flights land and take off at the airport.
source: Daily News
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