DESPITE the Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) restoring its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) over two weeks ago, Air Tanzania has yet to resume any of its flights.
The airline was grounded when it failed to produce the required documentation to the TCAA and was also suspended from Iata’s BSP. However, the problem has since been resolved and Air Tanzania is permitted to resume its flights.
The airline has not indicated when it will start its flights again, leading many to believe that the financial situation is still the cause of the delay.
The airline is also still suspended from the BSP. Lorne Riley, assistant director Iata corporate communications, explains that an AOC is a requirement for all airline participants in the BSP. Riley says: “The airline has had its AOC reinstated and is in the process of applying for reinstatement in Iata’s BSP. That process is ongoing and we are optimistic it will be completed in the near future.
Meanwhile tour operators are struggling to get refunds for their clients affected by the flight cancellations. Juan Nel, marketing and product manager for African Encounters, says: “They [Air Tanzania] are processing some of the tickets that were issued at their offices but not the tickets that we have issued from our office. This, according to Air Tanzania, should be done through BSP first, but according to BSP we will have to request it from Air Tanzania because BSP isn't holding any funds.”
