AS Tanzania massively invests in the transport sector, stakeholders and observers share their insights on the positive trend that the country is experiencing.
One of the stakeholders is the Director General of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, MR SALIM MSANGI who shared his views through an interview he granted to our Correspondent PETER KEASI.
In his views he praises the increasing competition in the sector. He believes that as competition increases, particularly with the SGR competing against air and road transport, market forces will naturally regulate prices, fostering a more competitive and fair pricing structure. This will help prevent monopolistic practices, especially with the limited number of air service providers and ensure that the evolving transport landscape better serves the needs of Tanzania’s economy…
QUESTION: Tanzania is fast developing transport and transportation systems. Is it correct to suggest that these systems complement each other rather than clash and that modernisation in one benefits all?
ANSWER: Yes, it is correct to suggest that transportation systems complement one another. An integrated transport system creates a seamless flow of goods and passengers across different modes of transport, leading to increased efficiency. For instance, efficient rail systems can relieve pressure on air transport by handling heavy cargo and long-distance travel, allowing aviation to focus on quick, regional, or international passenger transit. This multimodal approach supports Tanzania’s economic development.
QN. Take the example of an efficient SGR. How can SGR’s efficiency be advantageous to air transport?
ANSWER: The efficiency of SGR, particularly in moving passengers and cargo between key cities like Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, would allow air transport to focus more on long-haul flights and international routes. The SGR provides connectivity to the hinterland, reducing the dependency on air for domestic cargo and passenger transport, which optimises air transport operations for high-value or long-distance services.
QN. Would you wish to comment on the cost of services in the present scenario?
ANSWER: The high cost of air transport services, particularly for domestic travel, remains a challenge compared to land-based alternatives. However, with the development of SGR, there is potential to reduce operational costs through collaboration and efficiency improvements, ultimately lowering prices for consumers. Investments in infrastructure like the SGR stimulate growth in sectors such as trade, tourism and agriculture, which in turn drives demand for air travel as employees, experts and customers require efficient transportation. As competition increases, particularly with the SGR competing against air and road transport, market forces will naturally regulate prices, fostering a more competitive and fair pricing structure. This will help prevent monopolistic practices, especially with the limited number of air service providers and ensure that the evolving transport landscape better serves the needs of Tanzania’s economy.
QN. In Germany you fly without your luggage from Frankfurt to Berlin; you collect your luggage at Berlin railway station and without paying a cent. Do you see this happening in Tanzania?
ANSWER: Tanzania is still working towards achieving a fully integrated transport model, but this is a promising goal as the country modernises its infrastructure. Cooperation between air and rail systems holds the potential for future innovations, ultimately improving the overall travel experience. With the ongoing transformation of Tanzania’s transport systems, there’s confidence that integration will occur. Extending SGR to key airports like Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA), Msalato and Mwanza Airport will facilitate a seamless intermodal transport system. However, this will only be possible through collaborative planning that views the movement of people and goods from a multimodal perspective, ensuring infrastructure is designed accordingly.
QN. How are ‘land transport economic matters’ connected to ‘air transport economic matters’ if there is something like that in real life?
ANSWER: Land transport plays a crucial role in feeding passengers and cargo to airports, enhancing connectivity and accessibility to air travel, which supports tourism, trade and business. Efficient land transport systems complement air transport by enabling passengers and goods to move freely and affordably between modes of transport. With the recent launch of SGR, this development marks a critical first step towards a fully integrated, multimodal transport system. The next stage could see innovations such as seamless ticketing from international cities like Amsterdam to domestic destinations like Morogoro, where passengers and baggage would move effortlessly between air and rail. This shift will push airlines to adopt new technologies, ensuring they remain competitive and offer enhanced services to the traveling public and bring true price structure.
QN. Are you comfortable with the current route structure of private plane operators and ATC in Tanzania now that the railway system is being strengthened?
ANSWER: Yes, I believe that as the railway system strengthens, it presents an opportunity for air transport to refine its route structures. The strengthened railway system is complementary to the air transport system. Air Operators can better serve underserved areas or focus on international connections, while the rail system can handle intercity traffic. Continuous coordination between the Authority and operators will ensure an optimal balance in route planning and safety.
QN To our knowledge, your concern is civil aviation. How do you deal with non-civil aviation? Where and when do you come together so that air travel remains safe in Tanzania?
ANSWER: We collaborate closely with other sectors, including military and general aviation, providing a unique multifaceted platform to ensure that air transport sector remains safe and our airspace is used safely and efficiently. This coordination typically happens through joint meetings, safety committees and compliance with the national airspace management framework. Non-civil aviation stakeholders are part of Tanzania’s broader aviation ecosystem and their input is crucial in maintaining safety and security.
QN. The law, we presume, requires you to consult with other regulatory authorities or bodies or institutions discharging functions similar to those of your authority in the United Republic and elsewhere. What are those regulatory authorities, bodies or institutions? Give us examples of when you have to consult one or more of those authorities?
ANSWER: Yes, the law requires the Authority to consult with other regulatory authorities, both domestically and internationally, to ensure harmonisation of standards and compliance with aviation regulations. These consultations are essential to maintaining safety, security and efficiency within the aviation industry and they are particularly important when dealing with issues that cross borders or involve multiple sectors but also to ensure wider participation by stakeholders with intent to improve decision-making, by ensuring that decisions made are soundly based on evidence; that they take account of the views and experience of those affected by them; that innovative and creative options are considered and that new arrangements are workable. Domestically, we regularly collaborate Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA): For matters related to airport operations, infrastructure development and compliance with safety and security regulations; Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA): When coordinating weather services for aviation safety and navigation; Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA): To address communication systems and spectrum management essential for air traffic control and navigation systems; The Ministry of Transport and other government bodies: When formulating or updating aviation policies and regulations. Internationally, we consult with: The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO): For aligning national regulations with international standards. The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC): To coordinate with other African states on regional aviation issues and regulatory alignment. These collaborations ensure that our actions are in line with both national interests and global aviation standards, promoting a safe, secure and efficient aviation system.
QN. In aviation literature you come across terms like ‘air navigation services’. What kind of services are those? ANSWER: Air navigation services (ANS) refer to the services provided to ensure the safe and efficient movement of aircraft through airspace. This includes Air traffic services; communication navigation and surveillance services; aeronautical information services and; meteorological services for air navigation and search and rescue. These services are vital for ensuring that aircraft can safely navigate from one point to another.
QN. Air transport is said to be the safest. Do you subscribe to that assertion? But accident do happen anyway.
ANSWER: Yes, I do subscribe to the assertion. Air transport is widely regarded as the safest mode of travel. Statistically, air travel has the lowest accident rates compared to other forms of transport, such as road or rail. This is largely due to the rigorous safety standards and regulations set by international bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), as well as the continuous advancements in technology, training and operational procedures that enhance aviation safety. However, despite these high standards, accidents can and do happen. While rare, when they occur, they are often the result of a combination of factors such as human error, mechanical failure, or environmental conditions. This is why safety is a top priority in the aviation industry and continuous efforts are made to minimise risks. In the event of an accident, robust investigation mechanisms are in place to determine causes and implement corrective actions, ensuring that lessons learned help to further improve safety. The emphasis on incident reporting, safety management systems and ongoing training ensures that aviation remains a highly regulated and controlled environment, contributing to its overall safety.
QN. We are given to understand that you oversee search and rescue coordination. Tell us something about what you have done in the recent past while overseeing search and rescue coordination.
ANSWER: Overseeing search and rescue (SAR) coordination involves ensuring that our operations are well-structured, compliant with international standards and capable of responding to emergencies efficiently. Recently, we have focused on enhancing the operational capacity of our SAR units through training and acquisition of modern equipment. This has included collaboration with relevant stakeholders such as TASAC, local governments and international partners to streamline our coordination efforts. We have also updated our SAR plans, ensuring they align with ICAO Annex 12 standards and conducted simulation exercises to improve response time and inter-agency communication. Additionally, we’ve worked on raising awareness of SAR capabilities within local communities, especially around our coastal zones. A significant recent achievement was the successful major search and rescue exercise which was carried out to improve the response capacity and coordination of search and rescue services. In aviation and the different first response units such as maritime, these exercises are an important tool to improve their effectiveness and, also, to evaluate and improve the capacity of the rescue teams. This has reinforced the importance of preparedness and constant vigilance in our SAR efforts. We have also received more than twenty (20) distress signals from aircrafts through international satellite system for search and rescue. We assessed the signal received and try to pinpoint the exact location of the aircraft. It was established that, majority of these signals were triggered inadvertently during maintenance.
QN. We are also given to understand that your authority in the discharge of its functions shall not perform its activities in contravention of any international agreement to which the United Republic is a party. Can you shed some light on this official requirement?
ANSWER: This requirement ensures that the Authority conducts its activities in strict compliance with international obligations. As the Authority responsible for regulating civil aviation, it is crucial that our actions align with the international agreements to which the United Republic of Tanzania is a party. These agreements cover various areas, including aviation safety, security, environmental protection and air navigation services. For example, we adhere to the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), as Tanzania is a signatory to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (also known as Chicago Convention). This means that in discharging our regulatory functions, we ensure that our regulations are consistent with ICAO Annexes provisions. This alignment not only enhances aviation safety and security but also fosters cooperation with other countries and international bodies. It allows Tanzania to operate within a global aviation framework, enabling seamless international air services and ensuring that our aviation industry remains competitive and compliant on the world stage.
- Peter is a seasoned journalist, working as a media consultant and researcher based in Dar es Salaam. He can be reached at keasi1971@gmail.com or +255 713466661
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