ID :
24388
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 15:31
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/24388
The shortlink copeid
TANZANIA'S AIRPORT HOPES TO ATTRACT MALAYSIA AIRLINES By Samantha Tan Chiew Teng
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Tanzania's Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) is hoping for Malaysia Airlines to operate at the airport due to an increasing number of tourists from Asia Pacific to the country.
Its director Faraja Makasi said the airport was meeting with Malaysia
Airlines representatives Tuesday and would try to convince the national carrier
to fly to Tanzania due to its attractive destination and investment
opportunities.
"Even if Malaysia Airlines is not yet interested to fly to Tanzania but at
least, they can put us in their planning agenda based on the JNIA traffic
growth," she told Bernama at the sidelines of the 14th World Route Development
Forum (Routes KL 2008) here Monday.
JNIA, operated by Tanzania Airports Authority, has experienced a growth in
traffic from 0.5 million passengers in 2001 to 1.5 million last year due to its
marketing strategy of promoting Tanzania as a tourism destination.
Saying that the airport had seen 15 percent growth in traffic annually,
Makasi said based on the growth from the Asian region to Tanzania, JNIA hoped to
convince Malaysia Airlines to start looking at flying to the country.
Currently, Malaysia Airlines flies to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Makasi also urged Malaysians to look at investment opportunities at
Tanzania as its government was offering several incentives to attract investors.
Among investment opportunities highlighted in Tanzania are tourism, mining,
servicing industry and agriculture sector (sisal, cotton, cashew nuts, coffee,
tea and vegetables).
JNIA is the principal airport serving Dar es Salaam, the largest city in
Tanzania. Among the airlines currently operating at JNIA are Air India, British
Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways and KLM-Royal Dutch Air.
According to Makasi, JNIA expects arrivals at the airport to increase to
five million in 10 years and more flights by airlines will provide better
accessibility to passengers for both tourism and investment purposes.
She said despite the current tough period, JNIA was still experiencing a
positive trend with 13 percent growth in traffic so far.
"This year, our forecast is 1.6 million passengers while it's 1.75 million
passengers for 2009," she added.
Makasi also said World Cup 2010 to be held in South Africa would also
benefit the airport as heavy traffic was expected.
She said JNIA was ready to serve as an alternative airport to support the
heavy traffic.
Its director Faraja Makasi said the airport was meeting with Malaysia
Airlines representatives Tuesday and would try to convince the national carrier
to fly to Tanzania due to its attractive destination and investment
opportunities.
"Even if Malaysia Airlines is not yet interested to fly to Tanzania but at
least, they can put us in their planning agenda based on the JNIA traffic
growth," she told Bernama at the sidelines of the 14th World Route Development
Forum (Routes KL 2008) here Monday.
JNIA, operated by Tanzania Airports Authority, has experienced a growth in
traffic from 0.5 million passengers in 2001 to 1.5 million last year due to its
marketing strategy of promoting Tanzania as a tourism destination.
Saying that the airport had seen 15 percent growth in traffic annually,
Makasi said based on the growth from the Asian region to Tanzania, JNIA hoped to
convince Malaysia Airlines to start looking at flying to the country.
Currently, Malaysia Airlines flies to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Makasi also urged Malaysians to look at investment opportunities at
Tanzania as its government was offering several incentives to attract investors.
Among investment opportunities highlighted in Tanzania are tourism, mining,
servicing industry and agriculture sector (sisal, cotton, cashew nuts, coffee,
tea and vegetables).
JNIA is the principal airport serving Dar es Salaam, the largest city in
Tanzania. Among the airlines currently operating at JNIA are Air India, British
Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways and KLM-Royal Dutch Air.
According to Makasi, JNIA expects arrivals at the airport to increase to
five million in 10 years and more flights by airlines will provide better
accessibility to passengers for both tourism and investment purposes.
She said despite the current tough period, JNIA was still experiencing a
positive trend with 13 percent growth in traffic so far.
"This year, our forecast is 1.6 million passengers while it's 1.75 million
passengers for 2009," she added.
Makasi also said World Cup 2010 to be held in South Africa would also
benefit the airport as heavy traffic was expected.
She said JNIA was ready to serve as an alternative airport to support the
heavy traffic.
