The government has hailed Precision Air for flying high the national
flag and pledged more support to the airline.
The Minister for Transport, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe said at the launch of
Precision Air's state-of-the-art ATR 42-600 plane on Wednesday evening that the
company has continued to perform well in the aviation industry despite facing
various challenges.
He said the airline which started from a humble beginning is a good
example on how a Tanzanian could dare and venture into such business which has
now put the airline as the best example in aviation industry in Africa.
The
minister said the government is investing heavily in improving infrastructure
in all airports across the country to cope with the fast growth of the airline
industry.
“There are a number of challenges regarding our airports. Passenger
terminals are too small to meet the demands. The government has started to work
on this challenge”, he said.
Currently, expansion of Mwanza and Kilimanjaro
passenger terminals is going on with the Julius Nyerere International Airport
(JNIA) in Dar es Salaam next on the line.
In his keynote address, Precision Air Chairman, Mr Michael Shirima,
said the airline is doing well despite various challenges in the sector.
“This
is not a right business for someone with a small heart due to tough challenges
in the aviation industry” Mr Shirima, who is also the founder of the airline,
said.
Regarding competition in the market, Mr Shirima said the management was
prepared for that.
“We are ready now and for next challenges given the skills
and know-how of the airline staff which they have accumulated over a decade and
half ago”, he said.
He said Precision Air was not operating like budget airlines.
"Ours is to provide quality services to enable passengers to smile all the
way,” he said said. He added that his company won’t lower fares wantonly,
saying such move would compromise quality of their services.
Precision Air CEO and Group Managing Director Alfonse Kioko also used
the occasion to announce his intention to leave the company after over ten
years at the helm of the airline.
“I want to take a break. Initially I wanted
to serve only five years but the humbleness and hospitality I received from
Tanzanians made me to change my mind,” Mr Kioko said, adding:
“Though I am Kenyan but I think like Tanzanian.” Precision Air started
as a crop spraying company in 1993 and has since then become the regional
airline serving over 17 destinations across the Central, Eastern and Southern
Africa.
Last December, the airline was listed at the Dar es Salaam Stock
Exchange to change ownership and now 58 per cent shares are in the hands of
Tanzanians, 41 per cent Kenya Airways (KQ) and 1.0 per cent by other nationals.
The current fleet consists of five 70-seater ATR 72-500, four 48-seater
ATR 42, one ATR 42-600 and three Boeing 737. Plans are underway to expand the
fleet further by acquiring more E-jets and ATRs, the company said.
Source: The Daily News, www.dailynews.co.tz, reported by Abduel Elinaza in Dar es Salaam
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