Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) and Kenya Airways (KQ) are exploring the possibility of a partnership in cargo transportation, as ATCL is set to receive its first-ever Boeing 767-300 freighter with a capacity of 54 tonnes by the end of this month.
During a recent visit to Tanzania, KQ Group Managing Director Allan Kilavuka expressed optimism about the potential for cooperation between the two airlines. “From the available freight, equipment, and expertise, if used properly, we will increase the value and reduce the operating costs of both ATCL and KQ,” said Mr. Kilavuka in a statement released by ATCL.
Mr. Ladislaus Matindi, ATCL’s Managing Director, confirmed that during Mr. Kilavuka’s visit, they had a meeting to discuss ways to promote the prosperity of both airlines and their countries, considering the opportunities presented by the world market. Mr. Matindi highlighted areas of potential cooperation, including the exchange of expertise and conducting practical training to increase operational efficiency, without relying on foreign countries.
“The African market alone is very large and requires cooperation to exploit it, especially in the service of transporting passengers and cargo,” said Mr. Matindi. “We also talked about getting practical training, which currently requires sending experts to nations throughout Europe for two or three days of training. If this education can be found in neighboring countries, it will be better to raise the capacity of the two companies and bring more productivity to the society around them.”
The timing of the expected cargo plane is opportune, as demand for cargo services continues to rise due to growing trade and commercial activities. ATCL plans to transport a wide range of items from Tanzania, including perishable products, general cargo services, chicks and fish, pharma services, newspapers and magazines, valuable cargo, express parcels, postal and courier services, dangerous goods, and human remains.
This potential partnership between ATCL and KQ holds promise for enhancing cargo transportation capabilities in the region and tapping into the vast opportunities presented by the African market. By leveraging their combined resources, expertise, and equipment, the two airlines aim to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and ultimately provide better services to meet the growing demand for cargo transportation in the region
