Tanzania plans to purchase four additional Bombardier Q400 aircraft in 2026 to strengthen the national carrier’s operations, the government said on Wednesday, as part of efforts to modernise the aviation sector and fulfil a ruling party pledge.
Government Chief Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa said the acquisition will support the expansion and efficiency of Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), increasing domestic connectivity and improving air transport services.
The move forms part of the election manifesto of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), which pledged to procure eight aircraft within five years. Msigwa said the four planes expected in 2026 represent a significant step toward meeting that commitment.
“The objective is to enhance ATCL’s operational capacity, expand route coverage and improve access to reliable air transport services for citizens,” he told reporters in Dar es Salaam.
In a separate development, Msigwa called for patience among residents of Kimara in Dar es Salaam amid ongoing public transport challenges affecting the area.
He said the government is in the final stages of signing an agreement with transport operator Mofat to extend its service period between Kimara and the city centre, as an interim measure to ease commuter difficulties.
Additionally, a new transport operator, TransDar, is expected to deploy approximately 120 buses in the Kimara corridor, a move authorities say will significantly reduce congestion and improve urban mobility.
The announcements underscore the government’s broader infrastructure agenda, spanning aviation expansion and urban transport reforms, as it seeks to address growing demand for reliable public services in Tanzania’s commercial capital.