Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) has suspended its contract with the Dubai based aviation company, Aero Vista, that saw the latter lease a Boeing 737-500 plane to embark on domestic flights.

ATCL CEO, Captain Milton Lusajo Lazaro

ATCL leased a Boeing 737- 500 plane with the capacity to carry 108 passengers, which has since then been embarking on the national flag carrier’s Dar es Salaam-Kilimanjaro-Mwanza routes before launching the Dar es Salaam-Hahaya (Comoros) route last month.

The airline’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Captain Milton Lazaro, said the company had reached that decision to ensure a win-win situation and sustainability from the contract.

He, however, said the company intends to undertake a contract review with Aero Vista adding that the company may go in for another company if the two sides do not reach a consensus on the matter.

“We had decided to suspend the contract earlier entered upon with Aero-Vista in order to ensure compliance with Government pre-requisite.  We may be able to re-enter a new contract with them after discussions on revision of some clauses that do not favour a sustainable outcome.

“Passengers who are holding ATCL tickets have been reallocated alternative flights with other carriers and notified accordingly,” he said. He added that the national flag carrier will be able to be back on the routes after the completion of the maintenance exercise of its Dash-8 Q300 plane that is undergoing checks at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salam.

Captain Lazaro said, however, that only its Dar es Salaam-Kilimanjaro-Mwanza routes will be temporarily affected by the suspension urging that the airline continue with its three-time weekly flights between Dar Es Salaam and Hahaya (Comoros).

“We regret the inconveniences that have been caused to our valued customers, we take this opportunity to thank them for their continued support and reassure that, the resumption of these services will take place as soon as possible,” he said.

Source Tanzania Daily News