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Air Uganda launches Entebbe-Kia-Dar flights
2007-12-10 09:03:03
By Nasser Kigwangallah
The induction of Air Uganda in the Tanzania aviation industry is a step forward in revamping the tourism sector with a long-term strategy to expand the East African economic market.
Air Uganda Commercial Director Vittorio Scabbia made the remarks in an interview in Dar es Salaam yesterday following inauguration of the airline`s four times a week Entebbe-KIA-Dar es Salaam flight.
He said their entrance to the aviation industry would boost tourism industry and also foster the brotherly relations that exist between Uganda and Tanzania.
`We have entered the East African region to enlarge the aviation industry and we are also prepared to meet the competition by offering competitive services,` Scabbia noted.
He said the necessity of a national carrier operating in the region cannot be overemphasized, especially on high frequency routes within the region that are critical for the economy.
He revealed that in order to meet the stiff competition that exists, especially with international airlines, Air Uganda has devised a strategy of expanding the market through a wide range of products, designed to address the needs of their customers.
He said they guarantee their customers easy access to quality services, which are flexible and affordable to low income customers in the region.
He said there is a big potential in the market and they would expand their services to other parts of the region.
`We have a special package for families to travel across the region for holidays and tourism purposes,` he said.
On his part, Shabbir Rehmutullah, Holidays Africa sales manager, who are general services agent for Air Uganda, said the airline has the potential to increase tremendously foreign currency earnings through the tourism industry.
He said they expect to ferry about 5,000 passengers between Entebbe, Kia and Dar es Salaam annually.
`This would be a big achievement in the aviation industry in the region,` he said.
Air Uganda is part of the Celestair Group, being owned by the Agha Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), comprising of other airlines in Africa such as Air Mali, and Air Burkina in West Africa.
Air Uganda is the 15th airline operating in the Tanzania market.
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