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This paper examines historical development Air Tanzania Limited (ATCL) and analyses its social- economic benefits
as a national carrier. In Tanzania, like most of African countries after colonial era national air lines flourished
because road and rail networks were not well developed due to financial issues, terrain, and rainy seasons. With
exception of Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa and Morocco most of national airlines proliferation were short
lived and not sustainable due to bureaucracy, corruption, poor management, poor technology know how and lack of
preparedness. Strong national airline is not only important but top priority especially to countries with many tourism
attractions like Tanzania. The current re-invigorated ATCL possesses loads of potential at its shoulders. Within only
one and a half year since its revival. The ATCL passengers have increased by 70% from around 4,000 in October
2016 to over 24,000 passengers by June 2018. It is projected that by 2020 passenger will have increased to more than
100, 000 passengers per month. ATCL routes have as well increased from 5 in 2016 to 17 routes by the November
2019, Air Tanzania serves seven international destinations including Comoro, Burundi, Uganda and recently added
routes of Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa and India. ATCL also operates in ten domestic destinations from its hub at
Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International Airport. The company is also set to start flying to Thailand and China
by end of 2019. The route to Europe as well is under consideration by 2022. ATCL in 2005 had a fleet size of 5 but
the current fleet size is 10 and four more orders which will make it the highest ever fleet size in history of the ATCL.
This is breathtaking pace in addition China and Europe route in horizon will arguably boost not only the tourism
industry in Tanzania but also the social and economic aspects as far as Tanzania is concerned.
With the number tourist increasing from 153,000 in 1990 to 1, 500,000 in 2018, we hope ATCL to reduce economic
distance and inconvenience related to connecting many airlines. Indeed, ATCL will act as a springboard to promote
and bringing more tourists to Tanzania which has many pristine tourism attractions not yet fully utilized. ATCL will
help to opens up opportunities in other sectors such as hotels, consultants, tour, travel agents and related industries.
Additionally, ATCL should not only focus of passengers but also cargo airlines for exporting agricultural products.
Large portion of foreign currency Tanzania receives comes from cash crops, fisheries, horticultural crops and the
lucrative business for mutton and beef in Comoro and Middle East. Apart from passenger’s transportation ATCL
should aim in facilitating the international trade such us exporting agricultural products, accessories and electronics. |
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