After suspending its flights into many countries including the United Republic of Tanzania more than two (2) years ago, Turkish Airlines, on 23 June 2022 at 0120 hours, touched the runway of Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) in a bid to resume its scheduled flights between Istanbul (Turkey) and Kilimanjaro/Zanzibar (Tanzania). That was indeed a great news to the aviation community in the United Republic of Tanzania, especially at this trying time whereby the world is in the recovery stage of air transport industry after the severe impact following the outbreak of COVID-19 since December 2019.

The airline, using its A330-300 aircraft with 289 seating capacity, will fly the robin-round flight (Istanbul-Kilimanjaro-Zanzibar-Istanbul), 4 times a week, i.e. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, to begin with.

Speaking to the media and the public during the inauguration ceremonies of the Turkish flight resumption held in the mid-night just after the landing of the maiden flight, Hon. Atupele Mwakibete (MP), the Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Works and Transport, who was the Guest of honour of that great night, expressed his total excitement for the confidence that the Turkish Government has shown to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania by allowing the Turkish Airline’s flight resumption and allowing it this time of need. He pointed out that this comes at the right time given the fact that H.E. Mama Samia Suluhu Hassan has recently inaugurated the Royal Tour Programme in the United States of America and later Tanzania. Coupled with the Government great will to promote tourism and Trade, the resumption of the Turkish flights is indeed paramount.

The Guest of Honor, undelined the importance of improvement of our preparedness in handling tourist influx as a result of the Royal Tour Programme whose implementation requires great attribute of air transport.