Viwanja Vya Ndege | Tanzanian Airports And Airfields

[Mintali]

Originally Posted by Geza Ulole

More airlines eye Kili airport Send to a friend
Wednesday, 25 July 2012 22:01
digg


[Transport minister Dr Harisson Mwakyembe disembarks from the Qatar Airways Airbus A320 during the launch of the airline’s Doha - Kilimanjaro route at Kilimanjaro International Airport yesterday. PHOTO |File]

Transport minister Dr Harisson Mwakyembe disembarks from the Qatar Airways Airbus A320 during the launch of the airline’s Doha - Kilimanjaro route at Kilimanjaro International Airport yesterday. PHOTO |File
The Citizen Reporter
Hai. Two more international airlines after Qatar that launched its maiden flight yesterday -- Turkish Airlines and Emirates Air -- plan to launch direct flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (Kia) following the rehabilitation and maintenance project at the facility, according to Natural Resources and Tourism minister Khamis Kagasheki.

The maintenance project was spearheaded by the Kilimanjaro Airport Development Company (Kadco), a company that manages operations of the Kia and which has already secured a $30 million from a Netherlands-based firm, Orion Grand Facility in a bid to transform Kia into a fully-fledged tourist gateway. Speaking during the maiden launch of Qatar Airways Doha –Kilimanjaro route at Kia yesterday, Kagasheki said Kia will now get connections from the rest of the world which will help increase tourist inflow into the country as well as increase the country’s revenue earnings.

“We have unique tourist destinations that can attract more tourists in to the country. The good news is that we have respectable airline companies flying directly into the country that will help to connect us to the rest of the world,” he said.

Earlier the Transport minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe speaking during the event said the airliner’s decision to vie for the Doha-Kilimanjaro route would be of great significance to the country’s economy.
The Kadco Board chairman Ambassador Hassan Gumbo Kibelloh said the company would provide five-star quality handling services.

“Our vision is not only to make Kia a competitive airport but we are also dedicated to environmental conservation,” he said.The Qatar Airways chief Commercial officer Marwan Koleilat during the occasion said the company’s launch of the Doha-Kilimanjaro route is commitment to providing world-class services adding that Kilimanjaro will now be connected to a variety of destinations across the country.Qatar Airways joins other major airlines such as KLM, Edelweiss air, Condor air and Ethiopian Airlines to fly to the northern located international airport.
http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/business...e-kili-airport

With this speed i tell u our tourism numbers will hit 2 million very soon no more flying to Nairobi and more flowers uptake and most important no lies on where Mt Kilimanjaro; is what a right time

Do we really have to compete on everything?

[Geza Ulole]

Originally Posted by Mintali

Do we really have to compete on everything?

A reality on the ground as testified here down; happy about that?

Kenya’s tourism minister rushes to mend fences with Qatar Airways
Posted August 8, 2012 by Aviation, tourism, travel and conservation news - DAILY from Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands in Uncategorized. 2 Comments
KENYAS TOURISM MINISTER RUSHES TO MEND FENCES WITH QATAR AIRWAYS

The recent launch of Qatar Airways 5th East African destination, Kilimanjaro, due to have operated from Doha via Nairobi to JRO, found itself with an unexpected new routing as Kenyan authorities, reportedly at the very last moment perhaps in a warped sense to inflict maximum damage withheld 5th freedom rights approvals for the sector between Nairobi and Kilimanjaro, compelling the airline to combine JRO with their daily flights to Dar es Salaam, in the process scuttling plans to promote cross border tourism itineraries for the two countries for Qatar Airways passengers.
It is now speculated that the subsequent announcement that the inaugural flight to Qatar Airways planned 6th destination in East Africa, Mombasa, initially due for the 15th of August, was postponed as a reaction to this sudden change of heart by the Kenyan government and aviation authorities.
A precedent in fact for such arrangements has been set in neighbouring Uganda, where the daily flight of Qatar Airways between Entebbe to Kigali has full traffic rights and has helped to make the daily flights to both destinations financially more viable, linking the world to Uganda and Rwanda via QRs hub in Doha.
A regular source close to the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority refused to comment on the development, citing higher authorities, an answer all by itself over what has been going on behind the scenes. It comes as no surprise therefore that, faced with the postponement of the much hoped for scheduled daily flight to Mombasa, incidentally due to be operated via Dar es Salaam and also with 5th freedom rights requested as a prerequisite, that Kenyas Tourism Minister Dan Mwazo rushed to pour oil on the stormy waters when he met QRs Vice President in Nairobi earlier this week. He was quoted as having said: For purposes of economic growth and stability, Kenya needs to embrace partnership with other countries by eliminating any impediments that may ruin the tourism industry, seen as an admission that an error of judgement appears to have been made and needed urgent correction.
Tourism to Kenya, for a number of reasons, has shown a decline since establishing a new arrival and revenue record last year, and in particular coast hotels have been at the receiving end of this downturn.
Not all is well about coast tourism right now said a frequent contributor from Mombasa to this correspondents news stories before continuing Right now we have our own school holidays which bring domestic tourists to our resorts. But it should be said, this is heavily discounted business of course to make it affordable for Kenyans. Foreign visitors pay higher tariffs and therefore their business is crucial for our bottom line. Our new tourism minister has failed us when the budget for tourism marketing was set. Balala [the former
tourism minister sacked by his party boss for telling the plain truth
about interparty democracy] came from Mombasa and understood what the sector needs. He fought for us in cabinet. Mwazo lacks these properties and still has to make a compelling case for himself being the tourism minister. We have less purchasing power, a lot less, to pay for tourism marketing this year and we feel abandoned by government. KTB urgently needs more money. We are in a pre-election year and must work the overseas markets now to be sure of having business next year when the elections come in March. Any change in the fortunes of tourism will have a big impact on Kenya. Jobs are immediately at risk, investments are slowing down, forex earnings are down. There are good examples how more marketing dollars translate into more of those issues I just mentioned, more jobs, more investment, more income and then more returns for government. But instead they are even now trying to make tourism services a VAT item and again, our minister has been silent when he should have stood up and said NO in cabinet. Lets see if he can give Qatar Airways what those fellows need to fly more to Kenya and especially to Mombasa. We need that flight, we need their promotions and exposure.
Predictably would Qatar Airways not comment on the matter, though individuals contacted did express their personal disappointment over the last minute changes imposed on the planned flight operation and routing. Time will tell if anything gives in coming weeks and when the inaugural flights of Qatar Airways to Mombasa will finally take place, or rather if it will take place given the circumstances as seen right now. Watch this space.
http://wolfganghthome.wordpress.com/...ways/#comments

[Geza Ulole]

16th August 12
Tanapa revises tourism tariff, renames park entry fee
The Guardian Reporter
The Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa) has revised tariffs across fifteen national parks and renamed the park entry fee to ‘conservation fee’. In a statement by the management, the new tariffs will be effective as of the 1st of July 2013.

The statement from the authority issued yesterday said the changes were done to cater for among other things, the general increase in price levels of most commodities and services that has continued to escalate causing the increasing operational costs operation.

The other reason was to improve tourism facilities and infrastructure such as roads, bridges and airstrips, to cater for the increased number of visitors and to also diversify tourism activities in order to provide what the statement referred to as, ‘outstanding visitor experience’.

The authority also aims at internal restructuring and to serve for motivation it will improve staff incentives and packages, a move well received given the increased cost of living.
The early notice is in accordance to codes and regulations which stipulate tour operators must have at least one year notice prior to enforcement. Current law has it that Tariffs may be revised every two years.

Prior to the current modification, Tanapa tariffs have been revised only three times, January 2000, July 2004 and July 2006. Some of the areas to be affected with the new fees include filming, which the authority described as ‘very low and out of date’.

Walking safaris’ fees have also been changed due to popularity of some of the parks, tour operator views and visitor willingness. The minimum age for a walking safari is 12 years of age.

The statement mentioned other fees affected as guiding, fly camping, sports fishing, boating, canoeing, night game drive, guiding, vehicle, air craft landing, public camping, special camping, bush lunch or dinner, student fees for organised trips from Local Institutions.

THE GUARDIAN
http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/fun...le.php?l=44811

Way to go! By the time all things r in place no tourist will be flying to Tanzanian parks via Nairobi! Free rider tendencies must end to people who don't like us but want to benefit from us!

[Mintali]

Originally Posted by Geza Ulole

A reality on the ground as testified here down; happy about that?

Kenya’s tourism minister rushes to mend fences with Qatar Airways
Posted August 8, 2012 by Aviation, tourism, travel and conservation news - DAILY from Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands in Uncategorized. 2 Comments
KENYAS TOURISM MINISTER RUSHES TO MEND FENCES WITH QATAR AIRWAYS

The recent launch of Qatar Airways 5th East African destination, Kilimanjaro, due to have operated from Doha via Nairobi to JRO, found itself with an unexpected new routing as Kenyan authorities, reportedly at the very last moment perhaps in a warped sense to inflict maximum damage withheld 5th freedom rights approvals for the sector between Nairobi and Kilimanjaro, compelling the airline to combine JRO with their daily flights to Dar es Salaam, in the process scuttling plans to promote cross border tourism itineraries for the two countries for Qatar Airways passengers.
It is now speculated that the subsequent announcement that the inaugural flight to Qatar Airways planned 6th destination in East Africa, Mombasa, initially due for the 15th of August, was postponed as a reaction to this sudden change of heart by the Kenyan government and aviation authorities.
A precedent in fact for such arrangements has been set in neighbouring Uganda, where the daily flight of Qatar Airways between Entebbe to Kigali has full traffic rights and has helped to make the daily flights to both destinations financially more viable, linking the world to Uganda and Rwanda via QRs hub in Doha.
A regular source close to the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority refused to comment on the development, citing higher authorities, an answer all by itself over what has been going on behind the scenes. It comes as no surprise therefore that, faced with the postponement of the much hoped for scheduled daily flight to Mombasa, incidentally due to be operated via Dar es Salaam and also with 5th freedom rights requested as a prerequisite, that Kenyas Tourism Minister Dan Mwazo rushed to pour oil on the stormy waters when he met QRs Vice President in Nairobi earlier this week. He was quoted as having said: For purposes of economic growth and stability, Kenya needs to embrace partnership with other countries by eliminating any impediments that may ruin the tourism industry, seen as an admission that an error of judgement appears to have been made and needed urgent correction.
Tourism to Kenya, for a number of reasons, has shown a decline since establishing a new arrival and revenue record last year, and in particular coast hotels have been at the receiving end of this downturn.
Not all is well about coast tourism right now said a frequent contributor from Mombasa to this correspondents news stories before continuing Right now we have our own school holidays which bring domestic tourists to our resorts. But it should be said, this is heavily discounted business of course to make it affordable for Kenyans. Foreign visitors pay higher tariffs and therefore their business is crucial for our bottom line. Our new tourism minister has failed us when the budget for tourism marketing was set. Balala [the former
tourism minister sacked by his party boss for telling the plain truth
about interparty democracy] came from Mombasa and understood what the sector needs. He fought for us in cabinet. Mwazo lacks these properties and still has to make a compelling case for himself being the tourism minister. We have less purchasing power, a lot less, to pay for tourism marketing this year and we feel abandoned by government. KTB urgently needs more money. We are in a pre-election year and must work the overseas markets now to be sure of having business next year when the elections come in March. Any change in the fortunes of tourism will have a big impact on Kenya. Jobs are immediately at risk, investments are slowing down, forex earnings are down. There are good examples how more marketing dollars translate into more of those issues I just mentioned, more jobs, more investment, more income and then more returns for government. But instead they are even now trying to make tourism services a VAT item and again, our minister has been silent when he should have stood up and said NO in cabinet. Lets see if he can give Qatar Airways what those fellows need to fly more to Kenya and especially to Mombasa. We need that flight, we need their promotions and exposure.
Predictably would Qatar Airways not comment on the matter, though individuals contacted did express their personal disappointment over the last minute changes imposed on the planned flight operation and routing. Time will tell if anything gives in coming weeks and when the inaugural flights of Qatar Airways to Mombasa will finally take place, or rather if it will take place given the circumstances as seen right now. Watch this space.
http://wolfganghthome.wordpress.com/...ways/#comments

Oh please! Even if you get Delta Air, Air France and British Airways making daily flights to your country Kenya would still be miles ahead of you in the Aviation industry for heaven's sake, stop this stupid competition!

[Geza Ulole]

Originally Posted by Mintali

Oh please! Even if you get Delta Air, Air France and British Airways making daily flights to your country Kenya would still be miles ahead of you in the Aviation industry for heaven's sake, stop this stupid competition!

But at least KQ will have to share tourists with the rest of airlines e.g. Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines et al! Just for e.g. KQ was not landing at KIA but started after seeing Qatar Airways is to launch the direct flights! And Kilimanjaro Mt will be accessible on a direct flight!

[Mintali]

Originally Posted by Geza Ulole

But at least KQ will have to share tourists with the rest of airlines e.g. Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines et al! Just for e.g. KQ was not landing at KIA but started after seeing Qatar Airways is to launch the direct flights! And Kilimanjaro Mt will be accessible on a direct flight!

As always, we Kenyans always love positive competition and what you said is just proof. That's why we never object when other airlines that are better than ours launch flights in our region.

[Geza Ulole]

Originally Posted by Mintali

As always, we Kenyans always love positive competition and what you said is just proof. That's why we never object when other airlines that are better than ours launch flights in our region.

read here to see ur hypocrisy i think u understand English

[Mintali]

Originally Posted by Geza Ulole

read here to see ur hypocrisy i think u understand English

It's still the same article you posted before and it only proves further my statement.

Lets see
if he can give Qatar Airways what
those fellows need to fly more to
Kenya and especially to Mombasa.
We need that flight, we need their
promotions and exposure.
Predictably would Qatar Airways
not comment on the matter, though
individuals contacted did express
their personal disappointment
over the last minute changes
imposed on the planned flight
operation and routing. Time will
tell if anything gives in coming
weeks and when the inaugural
flights of Qatar Airways to
Mombasa will finally take place, or
rather if it will take place given the
circumstances as seen right now.
Watch this space.

About the English part, don't be sarcastic, your English sounds like something similar to a language.

[Geza Ulole]

Originally Posted by Mintali

It's still the same article you posted before and it only proves further my statement.

About the English part, don't be sarcastic, your English sounds like something similar to a language.

so why was Qatar Airways not allowed to add an adittion flight to Nairobi and launch the Dar-Mombasa route on 15th August as planned? choosing a paragraph out of the whole page demonstrates u r up for sth and pls don´t start ur nonsense here!

[Mintali]

You can please yourself

[mwinyi]

BTW

Ile rada yetu ya BAE SYSTEMS imeharibika

kazi sie tunayo sana

[Geza Ulole]

Tanzania: Chinese Contractor to Expand Mwanza Airport
Tagged: Asia, Australia, and Africa, Business, Construction, East Africa, External Relations, Governance, Tanzania, Transport
BY DAILY NEWS REPORTER, 16 AUGUST 2012
Comment
Dodoma — THE government has awarded contract to expand the Mwanza airport to a Chinese firm, the National Assembly was told. The firm, Beijing Construction Engineering Group, will carry out the work for over 100bn/-, Minister for Transport, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe has said.

He said that the government signed the contract in June this year and work is expected to start in October and to be completed in September 2014. Dr Mwakyembe was responding to a basic question from Richard Ndassa (Sumve -CCM) who sought to find out when the government will start construction work to expand the airport.

Dr Mwakyembe said the government through the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) has carried out expansion works on airports across the country depending on needs and availability of funds.

He said TAA continues to expand Mwanza airport to satisfy needs of passengers and planes as they continue to grow on a daily basis. Dr Mwakyembe said in 2007/08 TAA rehabilitated and expanded parking areas for planes to the level of tarmac at the airport. He said the parking area can now accommodate five Boeing 737 planes.

"I would like to inform the House that since July last year, Mwanza airport started providing 24 hours air services," he explained. The expansion work to be carried out by the contractor from China will include building a modern passenger lounge that will accommodate one million passengers annually, elongate the runway by 500 metres and expand and rehabilitate the control tower, cargo and hangar buildings to accommodate more planes.

Responding to a supplementary question from Zitto Kabwe (Kigoma - Chadema) who wanted to know if the government will support efforts to make it an international airport, Dr Mwakyembe said the government will fully support such efforts aimed at boosting tourism in the country.

"The importance of Mwanza airport is recognized by the government, and we will definitely support efforts to make it international," he said.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201208160294.html

[kiligoland]

AFRICA'S FIRST DREAMLINER LANDS AT KIA

http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php...r-lands-at-kia


kilimanjaro international aiport became the first african destination for the The first Ethiopian ‘Dreamliner’

a sightseeing flight to Mount Kilimanjaro for around 270 invited guests, including Ministers, Ambassadors, other VIPs and the media. Ethiopian Airlines is the first airline to operate the Boeing 787 ‘Dreamliner’ outside Japan

[Geza Ulole]

Kilimanjaro International Airport became the first African destination for the Ethiopian Airlines’ newly acquired and highly coveted Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner.

Tourists and other passengers disembark the "Africa First" dreamliner flight number 787-8 at Kilimanjaro International Airport (Africa's Eden gateway) in Northern Tanzania


Captains and Crew of the First Dreamliner cuts a cake to mark the aircraft’s maiden flight whose first destination was in Tanzania at Kilimanjaro.

The Dreamliner dubbed ‘Africa’s First,’ taxied at KIA runaway on Monday, afternoon, amid cheers from spectators who gathered at Tanzania’s second largest airport to witness the historic event, where the 389-seater aircraft landed for the first time.

Speaking during the occasion, an Ethiopian Airlines representative, Ms Nadia Ahmed, said the choice of Kilimanjaro as the Dreamliner’s first destination only goes to reinforce the company’s commitment in connecting Tanzania’s Northern Zone Circuit to the world.

The Kilimanjaro Airports Development Company (KADCO) Operations Manager, Mr Christopher Mukoma, said it was great honour for KIA to be the first African airport to handle the continent’s only Dreamliner.

The Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tewolde Gebremariam, in a statement availed here said the first Ethiopian Dreamliner arrived on the continent touching down at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa on Friday, 17 August 2012.

“The first flight of Ethiopian Dreamliner dubbed ‘The Dream Tour,’ was conducted last Saturday; August 18, 2012, with a sightseeing flight to Mount Kilimanjaro for around 270 invited guests, consisting of ministers, ambassadors, other VIPs, Ethiopian Sheba Miles Gold Members and media”.

The 787-800 Dreamliner, until recently was only operated by two Japanese airlines, is Chicago-based Boeing’s most advanced plane. It is made out of lighter, composite material, 50 per cent of which is carbon fiber – that allows airlines to save on fuel costs.

Large windows provide a stronger connection to the outside world, on-board humidity is increased and the cabin pressure is closer to what it feels like on the ground. LED lights that slowly change colour is another feature designed to fight flight fatigue.

The Dreamliner will be operating on rotation basis to African destinations such as Kilimanjaro, Mombasa, Harare, Lusaka, Nairobi, Entebbe, Lagos, Johannesburg, Abuja, Malabo, Douala, Lome, Accra, Maputo, Luanda as well as to Dubai, Mumbai, Rome, London and Frankfurt.

Kilimanjaro Airport is becoming busy again with introduction of new landings for other carriers such as Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways and according to tourism minister Ambassador Khamis Kagasheki, other airlines including the Emirates, will be introducing flights soon.

By MARC NKWAME, Tanzania Daily News
http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php...r-lands-at-kia

[bantugbro]

Originally Posted by Geza Ulole

Kilimanjaro International Airport became the first African destination for the Ethiopian Airlines’ newly acquired and highly coveted Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner.

I am impressed... what else can i say....

What a boost to our tourism industry

[Geza Ulole]

Precision Air increases daily flights to Arusha Send to a friend
Tuesday, 21 August 2012 22:14


Passengers embark onto a Precision Air aircraft at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam ready for a flight. PHOTO | file

By Felix Lazaro
The Citizen Correspondent
Dar es Salaam. Precision Air has announced it would increase the number of flights it makes daily to Arusha starting today in a bid to meet increasing demand and gain from expanding activities that include linking the northern city to the rest of the East Africa.

According to Precision Air commercial director Patrick Ndekana, there will now be five daily flights to Arusha.
Besides the development, the Airline also announced that it would increase its travel capacity to Mwanza by introducing use of Boeing 737-300 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays in a bid to meet increasing demand.

“This is in addition to the already existing ATR and Boeing flights,” said Mr Patrick Ndekana.
He said the airline had experienced the pressure of increased domestic and regional flight demands, particularly over the past quarter, prompting it to expand its services.
“We have added two important regional routes - Lubumbashi and Lusaka over the past two months both of which have resulted in stronger than expected growth for the airline,” he said.

Currently Precision Air has grown to regional footprint of 16 destinations while also being strategically focused on further untapped opportunities in the domestic market.
Already the company has announced cancelling its four weekly flights to Johannesburg starting 17th September this year in order to enhance its domestic operation in the country.
“We have decided to focus on the growing domestic demand and on more lucrative markets,” said Mr Ndekana.

He also said the office has suspended Kigoma and Musoma operations due to safety reasons and to allow for the ongoing construction of the Kigoma airport runway, and that the routes will resume once renovations are over.
http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/business...ghts-to-arusha

[Geza Ulole]

19th September 12
Mwakyembe: Private sector must seize chance in air transport development
Correspondent
Taking over the Fly 540 Tanzania operating licence, FastJet, at the weekend, announced plans to set up their very first base here in Dar es Salaam.

“We will be enabling people who currently couldn’t even dream of flying to look forward to great value and reliable flights aboard FastJet…,” said the proud CEO, Ed Winter, Chief Executive Officer of FastJet PLC who sees the affordable costs as a means to, in his words ‘democratizing air travel in Africa’.

The airline company has publicized its largely completive low prices and is giving the completion a reason to revisit their pricing strategies. Excluding taxes and charges, one-way regional fares will average around US$80 and a low fee incentive, only US$20, for early booking and reservations.

Ed Winter and Brown Francis, General Manager of Fly 540, were speaking at an event attended by the Minister of Transport, Dr Harrison G. Mwakyembe.

The minister acknowledged the company’s intentions said the low cost flights are ‘good for the economy’. He noted that transport and communication are central to the growth of the nation’s economy and that being the case, it is only right that the sectors are given priority. He underscored that it is the private sector that must step up and seize the opportunity.

The minister recognized that Tanzania’s business class is growing and with affordable flight, business trips will be feasible for more managers in the country and elsewhere on the continent.

The first aircraft, an Airbus A319 with 156 seats, will be operating regional and domestic flights by early November this very year. The initial routes will be announced in the next few weeks.

Listed on the London Stock Exchange, FastJet PLC whose majority shareholder is Lohrho PLC who have been successfully conducting business in Africa for well over 100 years was launched in conjunction with easyGroup that is headed by Sir Stelios Haji Laonnou, the founder of the most successful European low cost airline, easyJet, which today carries some 55million passengers annually.

FastJet assures its clients that it will maintain international standards of safety and reliability, using the well proven low cost airline ‘service and safety model’ that has so far a very successful track record.

The nation’s economy and our stable government have been highlighted by the CEO as persuasive factors that deemed the nation the ideal place for the maiden flights.

With an initial focus on East Africa, Dar es Salaam will be followed by a second base in Nairobi, Kenya, once the A319, which is already approved bythe TCAA, is also approved there.
Once established in East Africa, FastJet has plans to launch in Accra, Ghana and Luanda, Angola.

THE GUARDIAN
http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/fun...le.php?l=45991

[Geza Ulole]

Private Tanzanian airline reports profit despite difficult economic situation


Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - Precision Air, Tanzania’s only airline of choice, recorded a good performance in the 2011/12 financial year despite the turbulent economic situation that affected air transport globally during the period, the airline’s chief executive, Alfonse M. Kioko, said here Wednesday.

“We have managed to navigate through the stormy weather and posted some profit when many airlines were making losses,” Kioko told the airline’s shareholders at their first annual general meeting since the company floated its shares in an initial public offering (IPO) on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) last year.

“The year saw significant upward pressure in jet fuel prices against a backdrop of a sluggish performance of the world economy,” he said, noting that the airline’s fuel bill increased by 132 percent to Tanzanian shillings 48 billion (US$1=Tsh 1,570).

Meanwhile, the Euro zone crisis and the slowdown in the US economy resulted in downward pressure on the demand for air transport, especially from the tourist market which accounts for approximately 50 percent of the airline’s domestic and regional sales.

“The end result has been what many describe as the ‘CEO’s nightmare’ – a condition where revenues are increasing but the costs are increasing at a much higher rate than the revenues,” Kioko explained.

During the last financial year, ended 31 March 2012, Precision Air carried 825,159 passengers, a growth of 24 percent, compared to the previous year’s figure of 666,537.

According to the independent auditors’ report presented to shareholders by Ernst & Young, Certified Public Accountants, the airline’s revenue passenger per kilometre achieved from the market amounted to 424 million shillings, against previous level of 318 million shillings – a growth of 33 percent.

While Kioko pledged a continued focus on “improving productivity and customer service to retain and grow the market share,” airline’s Board Chairman Michael N. Shirima urged the Tanzanian public to patronise the private carrier that he founded in 1993 as a private charter air transport company, operating a five-seater light piston-engine aircraft.

Encouraged by a free-market economy that evolved in Tanzania towards the end of the 1990s, Precision Air ventured into operating scheduled flights with a fleet of small planes.

Precision Air has since grown to be a leading airline not only in Tanzania but in Africa. Its significant milestone was in 2003 when Kenya Airways acquired a minority 49 percent shareholding.

The airline was listed on the DSE with a total of 7,056 investors, most of them Tanzanian nationals and corporate entities, who took part in the IPO.

Currently, Tanzanians own 57.94 percent shares in the company, 41.23 percent for Kenya Airways while one percent stake is in the hands of other nationals.

“The company is incorporated and domiciled in Tanzania. Together with that, majority shareholding and control being within the country, it is the second national carrier under the definition of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Therefore, there is reason for the community to give it the necessary support,” Shirima told the meeting.

Cash-strapped Air Tanzania, which is a wholly government-owned enterprise, was grounded some months ago after all its aircraft became unserviceable.

Pana 03/10/2012
http://www.afriquejet.com/private-ta...100446481.html

[Geza Ulole]

Serengeti Airport works to start soon
By In2EastAfrica Reporter


Construction of the much awaited Serengeti International Airport in Mugumu town will enable foreign tourists fly directly to Mugumu town and visit the world heritage sites of Serengeti National Park by road.


Serengeti District Council Executive Director (DED) Mr Kimulika Galikunga

“This will even encourage more tourists on short vacations to visit Serengeti National Park because they can spend few days before flying back to their countries”, Serengeti District Executive Director(DED) Mr Kimulika Galikunga said in an exclusive interview with the ‘Daily News’ on Thursday morning.

The envisaged international airport will be situated at Uwanja wa Ndege ward which is located about 40 kilometres away from the world famous park. For many years tourists have landed at Kilimanjaro and Mwanza airports and then spend many hours on the road on their way to the Park.

“Construction of the airport will greatly reduce road travel to the Park to 40 kilometres,” DED Galikunga said. Construction of Serengeti International Airport is aimed at transforming Mugumu, Serengeti district’s headquarters into a tourist hub. Officials and the business community are expecting for a boom in tourism industry at western Serengeti citing construction of the airport.

Mr Paul Tudor Jones an investor who operates luxurious lodges in western Serengeti has agreed to finance construction of the international airport, according to latest reports confirmed by government officials recently. The construction of the airport is one of the key promises made by President Kikwete to Serengeti.

By MUGINI JACOB, Tanzania Daily News

Do you have a story or an article to publish? Please email us to submit@in2eastafrica.net.
http://in2eastafrica.net/serengeti-a...to-start-soon/

[Geza Ulole]

27th October 12
Tanzania signs bilateral air services pact with Germany
Correspondent
Tanzania and Germany have signed a bilateral air service agreement (BASA) to allow airlines from either side to operate in the other country.

Information availed to the media midweek said that Transportation Minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe signed the agreement while on a visit to Germany recently.

The contract aims at increasing the number of airlines from Germany to Tanzania and to provide opportunities for registered Tanzanian airlines to fly to Germany.

It is similarly intended to provide opportunities for tourists from Germany and other travelers to travel from Germany to Tanzania and back directly without passing through neighbouring countries.

Speaking to this reporter, a ministerial official said that the contract will also decrease the cost of air transport between Germany and Tanzania.

“This contract will also increase our airport revenues and the country’s economy in general,” he said, noting that after the agreement was signed it must be ratified by parliaments of the two countries.

Dr. Mwakyembe has pledged to revive operations of the ailing national airline which for years has been staggering back and forth in its route capacity and management.

Airspace is a natural resource which belongs to countries just like land, water, minerals, forests, et cetera. In other words, a big firmament of the airspace above the territory of the United Republic of Tanzania is within her jurisdiction. This principle applies to all sovereign countries around the world. The management and regulation of the airspace in this country is vested with Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA).

All resources are exploitable and are governed by certain principles. Just like surface transport between countries is administered under certain laws and bilateral agreements, the same applies to air transportation (movement through airspace) which in this case is governed by what is known as Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs). BASAs are generally negotiated and contracted between two parties although recently there has been a trend to conduct BASAs on a multilateral framework like is the case with the European Union (EU).

Germany is one of Tanzania’s longest standing friends, with relations between both countries traditionally friendly. The country was first a German colony, ‘German East Africa’ (Deutsch-Ostafrika) along with Rwanda and Burundi, separated in 1918 at the end of WW1` which Germany lost.

Tanzania and Germany share the conviction of enhancing welfare of people in peace and security. In line with the good relations between Germany and Tanzania, the government of Germany is committed to the development of Tanzania.

Germany is among Tanzania’s biggest donor countries focusing its technical cooperation on the sectors of health, water and good governance as well as broader budget support.

“In all these sectors Germany acts in close coordination and cooperation with its European partners and international donors. Altogether, Germany has supported the development of Tanzania with about 1. 8 billion euros since 1964,” a ministerial statement indicated.

THE GUARDIAN
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