The government of Tanzania is planning to buy four surveillance radars to guide international airlines to their airports to counter the 18 billion shillings (Approx 9 million USD) profit they miss out they incur annually. In addition to boosting revenues, it will increase efficiency and safety in Tanzania’s aviation industry reports local media.
“International airlines flying over our skyline are supposed to pay charges but this is not the case since we do not have the radars,” Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, Engineer Edwin Ngonyani, disclosed when officiating the International Air Transport Association (IATA) stakeholders’ forum in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
Kenya and Uganda have taken advantage of the opportunity to use their technology to guide airlines heading to Tanzania further added Eng. Ngoyani. The Tanzanian government wants to take back what is rightfully theirs by purchasing two radars at a total cost of 24 million USD for the installation at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) and Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA).
“During the current financial year the government will procure two radars and additional two radars will be acquired in the next fiscal year which will be fixed at Songwe International Airport in Mbeya and Mwanza Airport,” Eng. Ngonyani explained.
According to Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority a task force has been formed on the procurement of the radars that will cost 12 million dollars each and will be delivered in 18 months after being ordered. The equipment will boost revenues, efficiency and safety in Tanzania’s aviation industry.
Tanzania hopes to revive its flag carrier airline and restore its membership with IATA following its suspension in the past on concerns of safety of its fleet of aircraft.
