Air Tanzania has received its first and only Boeing 767-300 freighter.
The African carrier is the first operator of the cargo aircraft, registered as 5H-TCO.
The state-of-the-art aircraft conducted a test flight from Everett, circling around the Seattle area, on May 31, 2023, as flightradar24 data shows. The following day, it embarked on a delivery flight.
On June 1-3, 2023, it was ferried from Everett Paine Field (PAE), the United States, to Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) in Morocco. From there, it departed for Dar-es-Salaam Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Tanzania.
Air Tanzania operates a fleet of 11 aircraft, with an average age of 4.1 years. The newly acquired Boeing 767 is the carrier’s sole freighter. The airline also operates three Airbus A220, two Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and five De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400s passenger planes.
“The 767 will cater to the growing cargo demand which was previously carried by passenger airplanes,” Ladislaus Matindi, Air Tanzania’s managing director, is quoted as saying in a statement by Boeing.
Matindi emphasized the aircraft’s role in supporting a journey towards a more sustainable future and enabling time-critical cargo schedules across Africa and beyond. He expressed anticipation for expanding the import and export industry, emphasizing the need for timely delivery.
“The arrival of the airplane will open opportunities for global businesses to transport commercial cargo goods to various parts of the world, which will boost national economic growth,” Matindi said.
“The 767 Freighter will enable Air Tanzania to significantly grow its existing operations with greater efficiency and flexibility across its network,” said Anbessie Yitbarek, vice president, Africa Sales and Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Yitbarek emphasized that Air Tanzania’s cargo customers now have more options as the airline enhances freight connectivity between Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Water salute for Africa’s first direct Boeing 767F delivery
The event is the first direct 767 Freighter delivery from Boeing to an African carrier, according to the American plane maker.
The Boeing 767-300F delivery was met with a welcome ceremony at Dar-es-Salaam Julius Nyerere International Airport on June 3, 2023.
Upon arrival, the aircraft received a water salute and was officially received by Tanzania’s President, Hon. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.