Tanzania plans to purchase eight new aircraft for its national carrier, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), even as the airline remains barred from entering European Union airspace, a government spokesperson said on Saturday.
The move comes amid efforts by Tanzanian authorities to address concerns raised by EU aviation regulators, which recently led to the suspension of ATCL operations in the European market.
“There is no need for panic,” said government spokesperson and permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Gerson Msigwa, during a press briefing at the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair.
“We are taking all necessary steps to resolve the issues that led to the ban,” he added.
He said Tanzania has started engaging with EU authorities to improve compliance with international aviation standards, citing past efforts to access the Chinese market as a precedent.
“These are technical matters. For China, it took us nearly three years to secure approval. We expect to meet the EU requirements soon as well,” Msigwa said.
The European Commission has not publicly disclosed specific reasons for the ATCL ban, but aviation regulators often cite safety, operational standards, or oversight concerns in such decisions.
Msigwa defended ATCL’s safety record and fleet condition, noting that the oldest aircraft in the airline’s possession was acquired in 2018.
“Some airlines in other countries are still operating planes over 30 years old. Ours are relatively new and safe,” he said.
The government spokesperson confirmed that preparations were underway to add eight more aircraft to ATCL’s fleet, aiming to boost the airline’s operational capacity and expand international routes, including a future return to Europe.
He added that Tanzania has been hosting EU aviation safety teams in the country since September last year to guide the airline in meeting compliance benchmarks.
“We are addressing the issues one by one, and soon, we expect to resume flights to destinations including London, both for passengers and cargo,” Msigwa said.
ATCL, a state-owned airline, has been central to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s efforts to improve the country’s air connectivity and attract more foreign investment and tourism. The government has invested heavily in the carrier in recent years as part of a broader transport infrastructure push.