Air Tanzania has returned Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport after 10 years with four direct weekly flights.
The first of Air Tanzania’s four weekly flights between South Africa and the East African nation took to the skies on Friday (28 June) after more than 10 years.
Air Tanzania will operate four direct flights a week on a Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday directly to the Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam.
The carrier will operate two types of aircraft on the route, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner with 240 seats and an Airbus A220 with 120 seats.
The inward bound flights to South Africa will depart from Dar es Salaam at 10.30h and arrive at O. R. Tambo International Airport at 12.45h. The Tanzania-bound flights will depart at 14.30h and arrive in Tanzania at 18.35h (all local times).
48,000 South African business and adventure travellers visit Tanzania annually but the Tanzania Tourist Board believes this figure can be boosted with greater connectivity between the two countries.
O.R Tambo International Airport general manager, Bongiwe Pityi-Vokwana said: “We are delighted to welcome Air Tanzania, particularly as increasing mobility between African countries is essential to economic development.
“The successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, signed by 44 African countries last year, requires greater movement and trade among African countries. We therefore believe that new direct connections between South Africa and Tanzania will deepen regional integration, improve intra-regional trade levels and air connectivity.”
Air Tanzania managing director, Ladislaus Matindi added: “We have listened to our passenger requests to have direct flights to Johannesburg and believe that this will also offer more travel opportunities for South Africans.
“Tanzania is in an increasingly popular destination within Africa and we believe greater connectivity will encourage more South Africans to visit our country. For us, this new route is a significant entry to the southern African market and we are confident of being able to grow further around the region.”
