The budget airline Fastjet Tanzania could form a partnership with Tanzania’s national air carrier Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), according to Fastjet Tanzania’s executive chairman, Lawrence Masha.
The former Minister of Home Affairs announced the company’s plans while updating the press on the developing news of Fastjet Tanzania being owned by Tanzanian investors. In addition to the partnership which would scale up operations in the aviation industry, Mr Masha hopes to steer the carrier to improve the tourism performance of the country by offering quality services for its travellers.
Fastjet Tanzania has experienced a shaky performance that has compelled the board to reconsider its operations. The airline company has fallen short of funds to support its day-to-day operations, with potential finance investors pulling out of the business.
The new changes, especially at the helm, should open a new chapter for the airline that has a fleet size of four crafts. The forecast partnership with Air Tanzania, which has a fleet of five, is a sign of good tidings in the aviation sector. Air Tanzania is gearing up efforts to make an international appearance having established itself in the East African region.
There could be more good news for Fastjet Tanzania as it also looks to collaborate with international airlines to expand its operations beyond Tanzania. Its local destinations include Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Mbeya, and Mwanza. Since its inception in Tanzania in 2012, the air carrier has served more than 2.5 million passengers.
According to Tanzania invest, the total number of air passengers in Tanzania increased by 62 per cent in the past five years, from 2.1 million in 2010 to 3.5 million in 2015. The robust growth shows the importance of air transport as a business connecting network. The government of Tanzania has hence boosted its efforts in ensuring the sector grows.
In Kenya, the number of domestic passengers dropped from four million recorded in 2016, to 3.9 million in 2017, having a slight change in the sector’s earnings. The number of international passenger arrivals and departures at Kenyan airports was 6.1 million in 2017, a 6 per cent increase from 5.7 million recorded in 2016.
Ethiopian Airlines’ dominance in the regional and continental market has given more air carriers a run for their money. Its cross-continental destinations as well have extended its reach to be more competitive. Arguably, Africa’s largest airline, the Ethiopian, has opened new business investment opportunities for potential investors putting the country on the global map.
