Air Tanzania Sets Sights on China with New Cargo Route
Air Tanzania is expanding its reach into the booming Chinese market, receiving approval from Chinese aviation regulators to launch cargo flights between Dar es Salaam and Guangzhou. This new route, set to take off in December 2024, strengthens the Connection between these two important economic hubs.
Connecting East Africa to a Global Powerhouse
The Tanzanian national carrier, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), acquired its first freighter, a Boeing 767-300, in 2023. This powerful machine is扱う capable of hauling up to 54 tons of cargo and boasting an impressive 10-hour range without refueling.
With this new addition to its fleet, Air Tanzania aims to tap into the thriving trade relationship between Tanzania and China. “The Guangzhou route is bound to keep the state carrier rather busy,”
said sources at the Tanzanian embassy in Beijing. Bilateral trade volume between the two nations consistently exceeds USD 6 billion annually and continues to grow.
Tanzania is a significant exporter of agricultural products, minerals, and leather to China. In return, China provides a vast array of goods to Tanzania including machinery, electronics, textiles, household appliances, and construction materials, making this trade route mutually beneficial.
Expansion and Strategic Partnerships
Initially, Air Tanzania outlined a cargo network focused on the Middle East and India. This strategic expansion into China builds on those initial plans, underlining the carrier’s ambition and commitment to connecting Tanzania with key global markets.
Air Tanzania Cargo already made its debut in the Asian market with its first flight to Hong Kong on June 3, 2024. This marked an exciting milestone for the airline, proving its capabilities on the international stage
“[The Guangzhou route] is part of a broader strategy to connect Tanzania more closely to the world, facilitating trade and boosting our economy,” ATCL officials shared in a statement.
A Boeing First
Air Tanzania’s acquisition of a Boeing 767-300 freighter represents a significant milestone, making history as the first time Boeing directly delivered a cargo jet of this model to an African carrier. The aircraft, christened “Lake Tanganyika,” is powered by reliable General Electric CF6 engines, adding to Air Tanzania’s commitment to operational excellence and safety.
The airplane, bearing registration number 5H-TCO, arrived in June 2023, almost three years after Tanzania initially placed the order in mid-2021.
How will this new route impact the flow of goods between Tanzania and China, and what types of products are likely to be transported?
## Taking Flight: Air Tanzania Connects East Africa to China
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing exciting developments in air cargo with a focus on expanding trade routes between Africa and Asia. Joining us is [Guest Name], an aviation analyst with expertise in African markets.
**Welcome to the show, [Guest Name]!**
**Guest:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** Air Tanzania recently made headlines with the launch of a new cargo route to Guangzhou, China. This is a significant move for the airline and for Tanzania. Can you share your thoughts on the implications of this route?
**Guest:** Absolutely. This is a major development for Air Tanzania and for East Africa as a whole. China is a massive market with insatiable demand for goods, and Tanzania is strategically positioned to be a key player in connecting Chinese businesses with the vast resources of East Africa.
**Host:** Air Tanzania acquired its first freighter, a Boeing 767-300, last year. What makes this plane suited for this new route?
**Guest:** The Boeing 767-300 is a workhorse of the air cargo industry [[1](https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2023-06-03-Boeing,-Air-Tanzania-Celebrate-First-767-Freighter-Delivery-to-Africa)]. It has impressive range, capable of flying over 3,255 nautical miles without refueling, which is perfect for this route. Plus, it can carry a substantial payload of over 52 tons, allowing Air Tanzania to move significant volumes of goods efficiently.
**Host:** What kind of cargo do you foresee being transported on this route?
**Guest:** We can expect to see a diverse range of goods flowing between Tanzania and China. Tanzania is rich in agricultural products like coffee, tea, and spices, as well as minerals. China, on the other hand, is a major producer of manufactured goods, electronics, and textiles. This new route opens up opportunities for two-way trade, benefiting both economies.
**Host:** This seems like a very promising development. What impact could this route have on the Tanzanian economy?
**Guest:** The potential is enormous. Increased trade with China can lead to job creation, economic growth, and investment in Tanzania’s infrastructure. It also strengthens Tanzania’s position as a regional hub for air cargo in East Africa.
**Host:** Thank you for sharing your insights, [Guest Name]. This is certainly a development to watch closely.
**Guest:** My pleasure.
**Host:** And that wraps up our segment. Stay tuned for more insights on global trade and logistics.