ATCL resumes direct flights between Dar es Salaam and Pemba

 The flight will take place three days a week—Tuesday, Friday and Sunday—connecting the Pemba islets with Tanzania mainland. The national carrier uses Bombardier De Havilland Q400 aircraft with capacity of 70 seats.

The Minister for Transport, Prof Makame Mbarawa, said during the in emphasised that the new route will operate three times a week.

“This is an historic milestone in boosting tourism and economic integration in the isles.  This is about strengthening unity and enhancing business opportunities in tourism and other sectors for Pemba,”

The minister added that through these flights, Pemba is now swiftly linked with domestic flights as well as international ones such as Dubai, Johannesburg, Harare, Lusaka, Mumbai, Guangzhou and the upcoming Lagos where ATCL operates.

Prof Mbarawa used the launching ceremony to emphasize on quality and sustainability services to boost anticipated growth. “ATCL must ensure on flights consistency, and uphold international safety standards which are panacea taping the aggressive market,”

He elaborated that this is part of the vision by Presidents Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan and Dr Hussein Mwinyi to make every part of Tanzania accessible, safely, affordable and efficiently for sustainable development.

On his Side, ATCL’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer  Engineer Peter Ulanga, said that initially, the three times a week services will be taking place on Tuesdays, Fridays and on Sundays.

He said that there is a potential of adding more flight From Dar es Salaam to Pemba on daily basis depending on growing demands.

“With 15 new aircrafts, ATCL is confident in meeting Pemba passengers demands and others and all has been enabling to solid support by the government’s investment in infrastructures to support aviation growth in the country,” he said.

Engineer Ulanga called ATCL customers enroute to Pemba and other parts in large numbers to embrace his company’s services as they create more jobs and stronger economy by supporting the national airline.

Aviation industry stakeholders in Pemba welcomed the move, as it catalyzes the blue economy strategy and that connectivity is the backbone of economic growth especially to islands areas which are not land linked with mainland.

Pemba Island is widely known for its rich in clove plantation, pristine landscapes, and unique cultural heritage which if they are linked to fast travel, tourists’ arrival surges and hence, economic development.