Latest news with #AirTanzania
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Tanzania, Rwanda deepen ties with new transport and trade commitments
Tanzania and Rwanda have taken significant steps to deepen their bilateral cooperation, with renewed commitments in air connectivity, railway development, and the promotion of Kiswahili. Tanzania and Rwanda formalized bilateral agreements to enhance cooperation in air connectivity, railway development, and Kiswahili promotion. The treaties were signed during the 16th Joint Permanent Commission meeting in Kigali, focusing on strengthening trade and dialogue. Infrastructure projects, including the standard gauge railway linking the nations, are under feasibility studies. The agreements were signed by Rwanda's Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe and Tanzanian counterpart Mahmoud Thabit Kombo during the 16th Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) in Kigali. The ministers underscored the JPC's role in strengthening bilateral dialogue and trade cooperation, with a planned liaison office in Kigali expected to streamline port services for Rwandan importers and exporters. Nduhungirehe commended Tanzania's role in boosting Rwanda's economy through enhanced operations at the Dar es Salaam port, which handles over 70% of Rwanda's international trade, according to Xinhua. Tanzania's Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, stated that Rwanda is among Tanzania's top air travel partners, alongside Kenya. He noted that RwandAir operates daily flights between the two countries and described this level of connectivity as very encouraging, emphasizing its importance in strengthening bilateral ties. In addition to acknowledging RwandAir's service quality and performance, Kombo revealed that 90 percent of Tanzania's delegation, including himself, arrived in Kigali via RwandAir. He expressed optimism about the prospect of Air Tanzania resuming flights to Kigali, a route that was previously suspended. Plans are also underway for Air Tanzania to introduce cargo services, leveraging its large cargo fleet to support Rwanda's freight needs. Railway connectivity, language diplomacy, and regional integration Beyond aviation, Kombo confirmed that both governments are committed to implementing more ambitious infrastructure projects. One of the key projects under consideration is the standard gauge railway (SGR), which is expected to link Tanzania and Rwanda. He mentioned that technical matters such as feasibility studies and route planning are already being addressed at the ministerial level in Tanzania, to improve the transport of goods between the two nations. The Tanzanian minister also praised Rwanda for making Kiswahili one of its four official languages, alongside English, French, and Kinyarwanda. He described this as a commendable move, especially given that Tanzania hosts the headquarters of Kiswahili for the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union, and UNESCO. He stated that Tanzania has a responsibility to do more and is prepared to provide Rwanda with additional support, including Kiswahili books and teachers, to strengthen Kiswahili education in the country. Quoting UNESCO, Kombo noted that over 200 million people now speak Kiswahili across the continent, making it the most widely spoken language in East and Central Africa. He also highlighted the broad areas of collaboration between the two countries, stating that both sides had agreed to intensify cooperation in several sectors, including political and diplomatic consultation, defense, security, trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure development, ICT, energy, and health.
The Citizen
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Tanzania Airlines blacklisted by EU, but safe in South African skies
Air Tanzania's operations in South Africa remain unaffected, though Sacaa has not ruled out the possibility of future action. The European Union (EU) blacklisted all airlines, cargo and passenger, certified by the Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) this month. The country's flag carrier, Air Tanzania, and its cargo and charter peers are now banned from entering European airspace. EU bans Tanzanian carriers from its airspace The move was prompted by what the EU called 'serious deficiencies' in Tanzania's aviation oversight. But civil aviation authorities in South Africa say they have no safety or compliance concerns about the Tanzanian airline operating into South Africa. Presently, no Tanzanian carriers operate in the EU; however, national airline Air Tanzania had set its sights on long-haul operations, including flights to the UK, which are now scuppered. The EU said TCAA has a lack of qualified personnel, ineffective regulatory supervision, and noncompliance with international safety standards a challenge locally. No red flags for SA, says Sacaa South African Civil Aviation Authority (Sacaa) spokesperson Naledi Shange said: 'Airlines from Tanzania undergo our own rigorous technical assessments and ramp inspections before receiving foreign operator permits to operate in South African airspace.' For now, Air Tanzania's operations in South Africa remain unaffected. The Sacaa has not ruled out the possibility of future action, but Shange said that any decisions will be based on its assessments, not the decisions of foreign regulators. Even if an international body such as the EU or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US flags concerns, Sacaa conducts its own investigations and assessments before considering any bans or enforcement action. ALSO READ: Europe bakes in summer's first heatwave as continent warms 'There is no blanket policy. If technical or safety concerns are identified, enforcement procedures are initiated, including grounding of the aircraft, if necessary,' Shange said. 'Each operator is assessed independently. We do not rely solely on the actions or findings of other authorities.' Thus far, she said, there have been no bans on international operators in South African airspace, only corrective action. 'As part of our surveillance programme, we do conduct planned and ad hoc inspections of foreign operators. 'If issues are identified, we act. In most cases, these are addressed before the aircraft departs,' she said. That said, recently, South African airlines stood to forfeit access to US and EU airspace after the country failed to meet a key international aviation obligation and ensure the establishment of an independent body to investigate aircraft accidents. ALSO READ: SA expresses sadness, offers condolences to India after Air India crash [VIDEO] SA's aviation credibility under spotlight too Under Annexe 13 of the Chicago Convention, which sets global aviation safety standards, accident investigations must be independent and impartial. At present, they're handled by the Civil Aviation Authority, an entity housed under the Department of Transport, which does not meet the required level of independence. The department has since confirmed it will table a draft policy before Cabinet in a bid to avoid a serious safety finding, which could see local carriers grounded from some of the world's most important air corridors. When it comes to safety standards, Shange said robust international oversight and a strong performance record of the Sacaa. 'Sacaa participates in the [International Civil Aviation Organisation] universal safety oversight audit programme – continuous monitoring approach, which evaluates global aviation safety compliance,' she said. 'In 2022, South Africa achieved a final safety oversight score of 91.38%, placing the country among the top 20 globally.' The FAA also reaffirmed South Africa's category 1 status, the highest accolade possible, under its international aviation safety assessment programme in the same year. NOW READ: SANDF budget constraints: SAAF needs R414 million to refurbish Ramaphosa's presidential jet
SowetanLIVE
16-06-2025
- SowetanLIVE
Demobilisation programme instituted as second SANDF group returns from DRC
A second batch of 257 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers arrived at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria on Sunday after the termination of the Sadc Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC). A third flight is expected on Monday. A chartered Air Tanzania Boeing 787 landed in Pretoria late on Sunday afternoon after flying from the SAMIDRC staging ground in Tanzania. The troops on board were due to make their way to Bloemfontein for demobilisation, either by bus or on the SA Air Force's single airworthy C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. The SANDF in a statement said the phased return is part of the SANDF's planned withdrawal from the mission area. 'Upon their return, the troops will undergo the standard demobilisation programme, which includes health screenings, psychological support, and reunification services.' The first 249 troops arrived on Friday evening. They were supposed to fly to Bloemfontein but as ground handling support was not in place, they were flown to Waterkloof and bussed overnight to Bloemfontein. The SANDF said it expected the return of remaining troops to be better co-ordinated. Director of defence corporate communication Rear Adm (JG) Prince Tshabalala, acknowledged concerns over Friday's delayed flight, saying its six-hour-plus delay was due to a last-minute aircraft change by Air Tanzania, which was beyond the control of the SANDF. The airline 'only notified the SANDF at a very late stage that they were experiencing challenges with passenger stairways, therefore opted to land in a bigger airport. To compound this, the SANDF was only informed shortly when the soldiers were en route about the aircraft that it could not land at Bram Fischer International Airport due to its size.' The Sadc is organising logistics around the return of SAMIDRC troops, including those from the other two troop contributing countries (Malawi and Tanzania). 'We remain committed to ensuring that all returning soldiers are welcomed home with dignity and that all future logistical arrangements are as seamless as possible,' Tshabalala said.
TimesLIVE
16-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
Demobilisation programme instituted as second SANDF group returns from DRC
A second batch of 257 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers arrived at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria on Sunday after the termination of the Sadc Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC). A third flight is expected on Monday. A chartered Air Tanzania Boeing 787 landed in Pretoria late on Sunday afternoon after flying from the SAMIDRC staging ground in Tanzania. The troops on board were due to make their way to Bloemfontein for demobilisation, either by bus or on the SA Air Force's single airworthy C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. The SANDF in a statement said the phased return is part of the SANDF's planned withdrawal from the mission area. 'Upon their return, the troops will undergo the standard demobilisation programme, which includes health screenings, psychological support, and reunification services.' The first 249 troops arrived on Friday evening. They were supposed to fly to Bloemfontein but as ground handling support was not in place, they were flown to Waterkloof and bussed overnight to Bloemfontein. The SANDF said it expected the return of remaining troops to be better co-ordinated. Director of defence corporate communication Rear Adm (JG) Prince Tshabalala, acknowledged concerns over Friday's delayed flight, saying its six-hour-plus delay was due to a last-minute aircraft change by Air Tanzania, which was beyond the control of the SANDF. The airline 'only notified the SANDF at a very late stage that they were experiencing challenges with passenger stairways, therefore opted to land in a bigger airport. To compound this, the SANDF was only informed shortly when the soldiers were en route about the aircraft that it could not land at Bram Fischer International Airport due to its size.' The Sadc is organising logistics around the return of SAMIDRC troops, including those from the other two troop contributing countries (Malawi and Tanzania). 'We remain committed to ensuring that all returning soldiers are welcomed home with dignity and that all future logistical arrangements are as seamless as possible,' Tshabalala said.
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
EU ban on Air Tanzania flights could crush London plan
The European Union's decision to ban all Tanzania-registered aircraft from operating in its airspace has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) and cast a shadow over the country's aviation and tourism sectors. Announced on June 3 in the EU's latest update to its Aviation Safety List, the ban cites 'serious deficiencies in national aviation oversight' as the reason for blacklisting all Tanzanian carriers. Suriname was also included on the revised list. While no Tanzanian airline currently operates flights to Europe, the implications of the ban are far-reaching, especially for Air Tanzania's plans to expand its long-haul network. Air Tanzania's dream of launching direct flights between Dar es Salaam and London's Gatwick Airport could have been dashed by the stance taken by the European bloc. The Tanzanian flag carrier had long planned the Gatwick route as part of its broader ambition to expand its long-haul network from Dar es Salaam, which includes routes to Guangzhou, China, and Mumbai, India. The ban, issued by the European Commission's directorate-general for mobility and transport, also applies to the United Kingdom — despite its exit from the EU — as the UK continues to honour aviation safety advisories from Brussels.'Passenger safety remains our top priority. Following a detailed technical assessment, the European Commission has added all air carriers certified in Suriname and Tanzania to the EU Air Safety List due to serious deficiencies in national aviation oversight,' said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the EU Commissioner for Transport.'We urge both countries to address these issues promptly. The Commission stands ready to support their efforts toward full compliance with international safety standards.'The Commission did not specify the exact deficiencies found in the TCAA's oversight or cite any particular safety violations by the affected airlines. While none of the banned Tanzanian airlines currently operate flights to the EU or the UK, the universal ban sets back any plans to enter the market. Air Tanzania, which once flew to Frankfurt, Rome, and Athens, had hoped to re-enter the European market as part of its turnaround strategy. According to its in-flight publication, Twiga Magazine, ATCL had planned to launch direct flights to Gatwick—London's second busiest airport—as early as this year. The airline announced that it had secured three weekly landing slots at Gatwick in June 2024, with plans to operate two flights a week from Dar es Salaam and one from Kilimanjaro. The EU ban now slams the brakes on these plans, casting doubt on Air Tanzania Company Ltd's long-term recovery strategy, which relies heavily on expanding into long-haul and intercontinental markets. The regional market, meanwhile, remains highly competitive, with dominant players such as Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways crowding out smaller carriers. The London route has long been considered a lucrative one. Ethiopian, KQ, Uganda Airlines, and RwandAir all operate direct flights to the UK capital. Air Tanzania joins a list of African national carriers currently banned from the EU: Air Zimbabwe, Congo Airways (DRC), Eritrean Airlines, Air Libya, and Sudan Airways. While the EU updates its Air Safety List regularly, it remains unclear when Tanzanian carriers might be removed, or how long the restrictions will last. Industry analysts say the ban reflects a broader failure in aviation oversight.'It raises questions about TCAA's capacity to enforce safety standards and uphold international regulatory expectations,' one expert observed. The EU's action follows a partial ban imposed in December 2023 that targeted Air Tanzania specifically. At the time, officials from the European Commission and aviation experts were in Tanzania to assist both the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority and Air Tanzania in closing identified safety gaps. Those efforts now appear to have fallen short. Concerns raised by the EU reportedly included the operation of aircraft beyond mandated maintenance intervals, staffing shortages in key technical departments, and weaknesses in the regulator's independence. For Air Tanzania, the impact is particularly significant. The national carrier operates three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners—long-haul aircraft whose potential remains underutilised due to limited access to international markets. The airline has been working toward securing a Third Country Operator (TCO) certification, a prerequisite for launching flights to London Gatwick. Although the United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU, the UK Civil Aviation Authority typically aligns with EU safety assessments in its own decisions.'If Air Tanzania cannot access European destinations, it weakens its business case for operating wide-body aircraft, which are capital-intensive assets,' the analyst added. 'This affects not only revenue projections but also the airline's ability to participate fully in international partnerships and interline agreements.'From an operational safety standpoint, Air Tanzania remains a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and holds a current IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification — widely regarded as the industry's gold standard. The EU ban may therefore reflect shortcomings more on the regulator's side than the airlines. Still, the road to reinstatement could be long. Without demonstrable progress in meeting international standards, Tanzania risks further isolation from global aviation networks — affecting not only its flag carrier but the broader ecosystem of tourism, trade, and investment that depends on strong and credible air connectivity. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
