Air Tanzania does it again – but not in a good way

AIR TANZANIAS TROUBLES CONTINUE

Only weeks after making full mouthed statements when the company brought in a leased B737-500 – a move by the way immediately questioned by aviation analysts as this Boeing type is no longer considered a state of the art aircraft -have news emerged from Dar es Salaam that Air Tanzania had a change of heart and mind and is trying to ditch the leased aircraft and find a way out of the contract.
The news left supporters and advocates of Air Tanzania once again reeling, as flights between Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Mwanza were immediately suspended along with a short nondescript statement that ticket holders would be rebooked to other airlines. ‘We have said this so often, that company must be wound up. They are making a mockery out of aviation. Those in government still thinking that anything material has changed at Air Tanzania now better think again. A few weeks ago they make big announcements, talk of even more aircraft and now this. They tried to steal passengers from other airlines by offering ridiculous fares to JRO and Mwanza before they realized they are losing a lot of money and cannot sustain operations. Government this time must not use tax payer money to bail them out. The management of ATCL failed the country again and they should never have leased this old plane. Let market mechanisms take over now. There are private airlines which can deliver, Precision had ordered new planes even to offer more flights within Tanzania and there are others too willing to start up an airline for as long as our government not constantly tilts the playing field for misunderstood national pride. What our country needs is a strong airline which can help bring more visitors to Tanzania and not wasting money and effort to keep a national airline alive which is only a national disgrace’ roared a regular aviation source from Dar es Salaam in a mail yesterday, when sharing the news development.

From comments made by the airlines acting CEO Capt. Milton Lazaro, it is understood that the airline has been struggling to meet lease payments in the face of low revenues accomplished with the ageing plane. Subsequently the company had little option but to suspend the contract, in the process using parliamentary committee observations that the required procurement procedures may have been breached as a reason, not however absolving them of the liabilities under the lease agreement. A Gulf based aviation source therefore was quick to point out that regardless of the internal Tanzanian requirements and politics, Aero Vista has a valid contract for the lease and could insist on full payment plus penalties, which could leave ATCL in a similar position as was the case when inept management leased an A320 some years ago. Under that shady deal ATCL incurred a mega million US Dollar debt which government now has to settle and discovery of which led to the sacking of ATCL management and of the responsible minister a few months ago after parliament dug up the dirt on that transaction. A short statement from the company expressed regret over the development, not something the passengers now affected care to hear for sure, more so as the website www.airtanzania.co.tz makes not only no mention of the development but still continues to mislead the general public by saying: ‘Air Tanzania is the national airline of Tanzania, with its head office in Dar es Salaam. Its main base is Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) and it flies all over across many destinations across Tanzania‘. Where exactly are you flying and with what my dear ATCL asks this correspondent in closing. Watch this space for regular and breaking news from Eastern Africas aviation industry, always timely, always telling the stories as they break and evolve.

Rwanda’s safari guides awarded their ratings following May examinations

RWANDAS TOUR AND SAFARI GUIDES GET PROFESSIONAL RATINGS
The efforts to inject professionalism into Rwandas tourism industry, supported by government via the Rwanda Development Board, the Private Sector Federations tourism chamber and the Rwanda Tours and Travel Association RTTA have born fruits when late last week 25 guides out of 30 who sat for exams in May, were awarded their ratings after successfully demonstrating their various competence levels.
7 graduated with attaining the 1 star bronze level, ten attained the two star silver level, six attained the three star gold level while two of the guides attained the coveted 4 star diamond level.
Although no specific examination details were immediately available it is understood that East African regional standards were used, similar to the examinations administered regularly by the Kenya Professional Safari Guide Association or Ugandas Safari Guide Association, ensuring that tourists travelling across the region get the best possible guiding services now when visiting The Land of a Thousand Hills.
Said a regular source in an overnight email: Rwanda has for long known that we need to strengthen our human resources and provide adequate skills for staff in the tourism sector. RDBs Tourism and Conservation Department has for several years now supported the drive to train our staff. The Private Sector Federation also has been instrumental and the private sector has been fully behind this objective. I want to thank you for always being positive about what we do here in Rwanda because many have taken inspiration from your articles and feel appreciated in their efforts and how you report about us. We are proud to have to top rated guides now and others with high exam pass rates. More courses will now follow and there will be regular exams so that newcomers can test their skills and others can attain higher grades and then get better pay. Let me end by congratulating all those who sat for exams and in particular the two who graduated with top honours, they have done Rwanda proud.
Only days ago was it reported here that Rwandas tourism revenues, against global and regional trends, has grown yet again by 11 percent compared to the already record breaking year 2011, setting the stage to reach new records in arrivals and revenues when the year closes. Regular sources close to the Rwanda Development Board also spoke of a increasing acceptance of the Congo Nile Trail launched officially in November last year and of the birding trails outside the national parks, where visiting tourists can also come face to face with how ordinary Rwandans in rural areas live their lives.
For more information on Rwandas tourism attractions visit www.rwandatourism.com and for information how to get to Rwanda when in the region see www.rwandair.com which flies from all major regional airports to Kigali.