South African Airways and Air Tanzania on Monday launched a new airline, Air Tanzania Limited (ATL) in Dar es Salaam.
In a joint statement, SAA and Air Tanzania said that as from Tuesday ATL would not only offer direct flights between Johannesburg and Dar Es Salaam, but also to Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro.
The new Air Tanzania is 49% owned by SAA and 51% by the government of Tanzania.
SAA president and chief executive officer Andre Viljoen said: ”With this partnership and our ever-growing route network, SAA realises our commitment to quality service and vigorous competition in free markets.
”Our partnerships will enhance competition and benefit customers. Our relationship defeated national restrictions on airline investment, ownership and routes to enhance customer benefits.”
”This forms part of our African Hub Strategy where we aim at strengthening our position in South, East and West Africa,” Viljoen said.
Air Tanzania managing director Gregory Havermahl said: ”This is a special day for us all. Our nation once again has an airline that will be second to none in the region.”
More flights would be added on the Dar Es Salaam/Nairobi route. Entebbe in Uganda would also form part of the new route network. Within Tanzania flights were being increased to Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro and Mwanza and in the coming weeks new towns and airports would be added to the schedule.
”Plans are also being finalised to start operations to Dubai and Muscat plus new routes to Kinshasa and Lubumbashi,” said Havermahl. – Sapa