Guarded optimism on arrival of ATCL aircraft

WITH enthusiasm still high after the arrival of one of the two AirTanzania Company Limited (ATCL) planes in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, stakeholders say the national carrier needs competent management to run it profitably.

The stakeholders called on the government to make sure they appointed competent team to run the airline to avoid plunging it into losses as it was the case earlier.

The chairman of the parliamentary committee for infrastructure development Prof Adamson Sigalla commended government efforts to restore the glory of the ailing ATCL to be an active airline in the country and in the region.

“The public has been caught by excitement due to the fifth phase government achievements where in less than one year accomplished purchasing two planes that past regimes failed,” he said in an interview with the Daily News yesterday.

He however emphasized the need for hiring a competent management that would determine the bright future of the ATCL to contribute to the country’s economic growth.

He said by employing capable and knowledgeable management on the aviation industry ATCL would become a strong and profitable national airline carrier. “We need to avoid past mistakes of putting weak and unknowledgeable staff that would throw the institution into heavy losses,” he said.

He said also ATCL should be registered with the international travel agents to harness immense opportunities including more travellers from different parts of the world.

“This is a unique opportunity to boost local and foreign tourism,” he said adding that the government should improve small airports particularly in areas with tourism attractions to accommodate more tourists.

On his part, the Eagle Travel Distribution System, Chief Executive Officer, Mr Renatus Kyakalaba said public excitement is one thing but the government should address first management problems to run ATCL profitably.

“Even if we buy 100 planes, without competent management it will be useless,” he said adding that it is high time ATCL run commercially.

The other plane is expected at the end of the week. Last week President John Magufuli appointed Emmanuel Korosso and the new Chairman of ATCL Board of Directors and Ladislaus Ernest Matindi Director General of the airline. Prior to appointment, Mr Matindi was Director in EGNOS-Africa Joint Programme Office in Senegal