By Victor Shalton
Air Tanzania Enhances Its Cargo Operations
Air Tanzania — the state-owned airline of Tanzania — received its first dedicated cargo aircraft, the Boeing 767-300 Freighter. The delivery marks a significant milestone for both Air Tanzania and Boeing, as it is the first direct delivery of a 767 Freighter to an African carrier.
The introduction of the Boeing 767F will enable Air Tanzania to meet the growing demand for air freight services in the region and expand its cargo operations. However, the procurement of the aircraft has been marred by a financial dispute, leading to recent developments within the Tanzanian government.
A financial report by Tanzania’s chief auditor and anti-corruption agency revealed discrepancies in the procurement and payment of the Boeing 767-300F. The original contract stipulated a final payment of $37 million for the aircraft, but the government was presented with a bill amounting to $86 million. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan took swift action by dismissing the head of the Tanzania Government Flight Agency (TGFA), John Nzulule, who was responsible for procuring the aircraft on behalf of Air Tanzania.
Air Tanzania’s acquisition of the 767-300 Freighter is expected to revolutionize the airline’s cargo operations. With excellent fuel efficiency, operational flexibility, and low noise levels, the freighter is well-suited to support time-critical cargo schedules across Africa and beyond.
The aircraft can fly long distances with a revenue payload of over 52 tonnes, making it ideal for serving e-commerce and express cargo markets. Air Tanzania aims to expand its imports and exports industry, particularly in the transportation of perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and other time-sensitive products.
“We are thrilled to welcome the 767-300 Boeing Freighter to our fleet. The 767 will cater to the growing cargo demand which was previously carried by passenger airplanes. The 767 will enable Air Tanzania to support a journey towards a more sustainable future and time critical cargo schedules across Africa and beyond,” Eng. Ladislaus Matindi, Air Tanzania managing director, said. “We are looking forward to expanding our imports and exports industry that require timely delivery. The arrival of the airplane will open opportunities for global businesses to transport commercial cargo goods to various parts of the world, which will boost national economic growth.”
The delivery of the Boeing 767-300F opens up new possibilities for Air Tanzania’s cargo customers. With increased freight connectivity between Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, the airline can provide greater efficiency and flexibility across its network. The cargo aircraft will complement Air Tanzania’s existing operations, which include commercial service across Africa and to destinations in Asia. The airline currently operates two Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and has additional orders for one 787-8 and two 737 MAX jets.
Victor Shalton’s love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.
