AirAsia X explores direct flight to Dar

DAR ES SALAAM: A DELEGATION from AirAsia X (AAX), a Malaysian budget airline, is in the country to explore the possibility of the airline flying to Tanzania.

The delegation, led by the airline’s Chief Executive Officer Benyamin Ismail, visited several institutions including the Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) and the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA).

At TCAA, Director General Salim Msangi and other senior officials, discuss with the delegation plans to strengthen aviation ties, particularly by launching direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kilimanjaro and Unguja.

The visit aims to enhance cooperation between the two nations in the aviation sector and facilitate AAX’s entry into the country’s market. The delegation has been in the country since September 30, this year.

Mr Ismail was accompanied by Chief Commercial Officer at AAX, Paul Carroll and their Regional Commercial Head Allenie Caccam.

The airline this year launched new route to Nairobi, Kenya and plans to initiate direct flights to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which are expected to boost tourism and economic engagement between the regions. The move would make Tanzania more accessible to travellers from Malaysia and other parts of Asia.

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The Malaysian delegation was accompanied by Tanzania’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Mahadhi Juma Maalim and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Asia and Australasia Department. During their stay, the AAX representatives also visited TTB, where they met with the Board’s Chairperson, Amb Ramadhan Dau.

Their discussions focused on leveraging the direct flights to increase the number of tourists from across the world to Tanzania’s key destinations, including Zanzibar and the Kilimanjaro region. AAX, which operates a fleet of 250 aircraft and services 147 destinations globally, also held meetings with TCCIA in Dar es Salaam.

The AirAsia team, joined by Amb Mahadhi, discussed potential business opportunities with TCCIA President Vicent Bruno Minja.

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The discussions centred on ways to grow and promote trade between Tanzania and Malaysia once AirAsia launches its operations in Dar es Salaam The Tanzanian delegation hopes this partnership will further promote the country as a prime destination for tourism and investment, benefiting both Tanzania and Malaysia.

This visit, supported by the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Malaysian government, sets the stage for stronger bilateral relations and deeper cooperation in aviation and business ventures.