Air Tanzania is the flag carrier of Tanzania, a large country located in East Africa. It is the only scheduled airline operating in Tanzania and has been in operation since 1977. The airline was established by the Tanzanian government with the aim of providing air transport services to the country and connecting it to the world.
Air Tanzania was initially known as Air Tanzania Corporation (ATC), and was created in 1977 to replace the East African Airways, which had ceased operations in 1977. The newly formed airline was based in Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania and its first commercial flight was between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, in 1979.
Air Tanzania’s fleet has evolved over the years to include a mix of both turboprop and jet aircraft. The airline’s first aircraft were two de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters, which were used for short-haul flights. In 1980, the airline acquired its first jet aircraft, three British Aerospace BAe 146-200s, which allowed it to expand its network and offer services to international destinations such as Nairobi, Johannesburg, and London. In the following years, the airline acquired additional aircraft, including Boeing 727-200s, Boeing 737-200s, and Boeing 767-200ERs.
Air Tanzania has faced several challenges over the years, including financial difficulties and safety incidents. In 1994, the airline was forced to shut down for a short period after facing financial difficulties. The government of Tanzania then invested heavily in the airline and it was able to resume operations. In 2005, the airline faced another setback after one of its Boeing 737-200s crashed on approach to Mwanza Airport in Tanzania, killing all 60 people on board. As a result of this incident, the airline was suspended from international operations for several months, before being allowed to resume operations with a new set of safety requirements.
Air Tanzania has experienced a number of important milestones throughout its history. In 2011, the airline began operating its first international flights in over five years, with a route to Johannesburg. In 2012, the airline launched its first domestic route between Mwanza and Tanzania’s capital, Dodoma. In 2014, the airline began operating its first international route to Mumbai. In 2016, Air Tanzania became the first Tanzanian airline to operate flights to China when it launched service to Guangzhou. Most recently, in 2018, the airline launched a route to Dubai, marking the first direct flight between Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates.
Air Tanzania is an important part of Tanzania’s history, and has evolved and grown over the years. Despite the challenges it has faced, the airline continues to provide air transport services to and from Tanzania, connecting the country to the rest of the world.
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