Auric Air Services has expanded its domestic network by introducing four weekly flights linking Dar es Salaam, Kahama and Mwanza, responding to increasing demand for air travel in the Lake Zone.
The new services will operate every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday using a Bombardier Dash 8-300 aircraft with a capacity of 50 passengers.
Under the new schedule, flights will depart Dar es Salaam and proceed to Mwanza via Kahama. Travel time from Dar es Salaam to Kahama is approximately two hours, while the Kahama–Mwanza segment takes about 30 minutes.
The return flight from Mwanza to Dar es Salaam is expected to take around two hours and 10 minutes.
Speaking at the launch, Auric Air Sales Director Deepesh Gupta said the airline’s competitive edge lies in its flight timings, noting that the new services operate during daytime and evening hours, periods that were previously underserved on the route.
He said the additional flights would strengthen Auric Air’s contribution to the aviation sector, adding that the airline currently operates a fleet of 25 aircraft, including four larger planes and two luxury aircraft.
Addressing competition within the sector, Gupta said the presence of the national carrier, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), does not hinder smaller airlines but instead supports overall market growth.
“ATCL’s expansion, especially on international routes, brings more passengers into the country. We complement this by serving destinations that the national carrier does not reach, particularly in tourism-related travel,” he said.
Auric Air Planning Officer Asha Mzuri said the growth in passenger demand has been largely driven by government investments in airport infrastructure.
“The aviation market is expanding as infrastructure improves and airline efficiency increases. We appreciate the government’s continued support in strengthening the sector,” she said.