AS the Professional Association of Tanzania Pilots (PATP) complains of the foreign domination of the country’s civil aviation industry over the recruitment of cabin crew, a newly established low cost fastjet flight carrier has promised to recruit Tanzanian pilots of the highly professionals, it has been learnt. The company’s Chief Commercial officer, Richard Bodin confirmed early this week in Dar es Salaam that, Tanzanians are among 30 pilots who have been recruited by the firm to fly three airbus A319 planes which will arrive in the country to start its operation in two weeks to come. He said in an exclusive interview during the launching of the official ticket two sale weeks ago for a plane which is scheduled to inaugurate its first operations for the domestic flight in the country end of this month. He said that, the company was looking for local Tanzanians who are professionally trained as pilots able to maintain high standards of safety, but could not specify exactly the number of the needed local pilots as they are still going on with scrutiny. The coming of Fastjet aircraft in the country might be a relief to some stranded Tanzania pilots who have been wandering about in search of jobs but to no avail, says PATP’s Secretary General Captain Khalib Iqbal who once served as Precision Air pilot. Captain Iqbal was quoted by the media early this week as saying that, “Tanzania has enough qualified pilots to fly any type of aircraft, but it’s unfortunate to see most of them have been left stranded by some aircraft companies because of the existing bureaucracy in the aviation industry which is fond of discrimination and do not have trust with local pilots”. He has however thanked the government’s intervention in its circular signed by former Director General of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority aviation (TCAA) Engineer Margreth Munyagi in June 2011 following the cancellation of earlier circular introduced in 2004. The new circular reads that ‘aircraft owners or operators are urged to give priority of employment to Tanzanian nationals’. The fastjet which has acquired fly 540, aspires to become a pan-African low cost air carrier by treading on terrain which several other aircrafts have failed to operate in Africa. Fastjet homogeneous fleet will only consist of airbus A319 planes which have already been approved by the Tanzania aviation industry official experts to be fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. Being one of the low cost air carriers, it expects to kick off its operations as all its logistics have been finalized. The aircraft will be flying to Mwanza and Kilimanjaro from Dar es Salaam twice each day at a minimum price of $ 20 (Approximately Sh. 32,000) one-way excluding taxes and charges. According to him, the minimum price will be made available to a traveler who book earlier and within a specified scheduled time. “We look forward to bringing a great, reliable and affordable service to the people of Tanzania.” He said adding that his company is determined to seek for business opportunity in order to open up low cost travel and bring new levels of comfort to air passengers across the country. However, he has observed that, there are more Tanzanians travelling domestically by air today than any other time, therefore he has assured enormous opportunities for growth given the expanding middle class and their rising disposable income. Another point he noted is the fact that Tanzania has been relying on a single airline in order to service the majority of its domesticated routes. The airline company adds to 72 air operators already registered with the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authorities in the country as of 31st August this year. Statistics made available by the Authority shows that, out of 72, only 49 are in internal operations and none of them tackles international direct flight. Fastjet is incorporated in England and Wales under the companies Act 1985 with registered number 05701801 and its registered office is Suite 2C, first point Buckingham Gate, Gatwick Airport, RH6 0NT.
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