Precision Air returns to Bukoba – looks at expansion

(eTN) – The rise of Precision Air to the level of a quasi-national airline – in view of the decline of Air Tanzania over the past year – has brought new connections to the Tanzanian traveling public. It was learned earlier in the week that Precision has resumed their scheduled services linking Mwanza with its “opposite number,” Bukoba, once again, the two lakeside municipalities separated by Lake Victoria.

As reported here, when Precision phased out their Let 410 aircraft, the Bukoba aerodrome was not equipped to handle the larger ATR 42, but with a runway extension now completed and the general facilities of the Bukoba airport upgraded, flight operations with the larger aircraft are now possible. The maiden flight to Bukoba was incidentally operated by an ATR 42 with the fitting name “Bukoba” to the delight of the crowd and officials from Bukoba greeting the inaugural flight.

At the same occasion, the company’s top management also confirmed that they were expecting the delivery of a leased B737, allowing them to spread their wings across the wider region with flights to Johannesburg, Pemba, and Nampula in Mozambique, Moroni in the Comoros, Lubumbashi in Congo DR, and Lusaka in Zambia.

Precision Air’s key shareholder is Kenya Airways, but an IPO has already been scheduled during which the present owners will divest an initial 30 percent to be floated on the Dar es Salaam stock exchange, which will allow Tanzanian individuals and businesses to share in the success of Precision Air, give them greater financial strength, and cement its present market position as Tanzania’s leading airline.