The 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft valued at 224.6 million US dollars (482.89bn/-), is the first ever wide-body order for the country’s national carrier.
Dar es Salaam – Boeing’s first 787 Dreamliner for Air Tanzania was received at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam on Sunday
The aircraft is part of Air Tanzania’s plan to grow its operations across Africa as well as to international destinations.
“The brand new 787 is the first widebody airplane to join Tanzania’s flag carrier’s fleet,” the manufacturers said in a press release.
The much-awaited Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner touched down at the country’s major international gateway at 5.18pm from the United States of America (USA).
President John Magufuli was the guest of honor who graced the event to receive the plane that will be leased to Air Tanzania Corporation Limited (ATCL). The new aircraft becomes the fourth among seven aircraft that have been bought by the administration of the fifth phase government that took office in November 2015.
After it touched down, the plane received a water salute from two firefighting engines that were spraying arcs of water over it, as a sign of respect, honour and gratitude.
The Dreamliner that is valued at $224.6 million at list prices has a seating capacity of 262 passengers that can be accommodated in a three-class configuration.
It is set to have a route to Mumbai (India) Bangkok (Thailand) and Guangzhou (China) starting in September.
The government has already received the three 76 seaters Q400 turboprop planes worth $32 million each from Canada’s Bombardier Aerospace.
The three planes fly to twelve local destinations such as Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Mbeya, Dodoma, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Bukoba, Kigoma, Tabora, Mtwara, Ruvuma and Zanzibar.
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