China Firm Shows Interest in Tanzania Industry

Posted on : Wednesday , 3rd December 2014

 THE Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has expressed its intention to cooperation with Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) and restore the firm's lost glory.

In May, this year, China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang, when delivering a speech at the African Union headquarter, said his government was keen to implement China-Africa regional aviation cooperation programme.

He said the Beijing government would support Chinese enterprises to establish joint venture with airlines in Africa. The Head of AVIC International Aero-Development Corporation, Civil Aircraft Division, Mr Xue Hang, said as a major Chinese Aviation Industry, they believed they have a role to play to implement Prime Minister's commitment.

Mr Xue says, "There are several units of Y12 aircraft serving in Tanzania Air Force and experts believe that it is also suitable for civil air transport in Tanzania, especially for those short routes, low frequency and remote airports."

In June, this year, Dr Charles Tizeba told the National Assembly that the government planned to acquire Harbin Y12E planes from China with a capacity to carry 18 passengers each for ATCL with financial support from China.

The AVIC director was speaking to the 'Daily News' following the China Air Show held mid-last month and said apart from Tanzania AVIC presence in Africa have increased after securing markets in ten countries ranging from flag carriers to government operators.

The latest big push was during the tenth session of China Air show, which lasted for six days, was launched on Nov 11, where a deal was sealed for three civil jets ARJ21 for Congo- Brazzaville.

"ATCL has also shown interest in ARJ21 (90-seater jet)," Xue said when talking about the success of China Air show, which was held at Zhuhai.

He added: "The total amount of AVIC aircraft operating in African continent is more than 400." He says the group customers range from national flag carriers to governmental operators in Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Egypt, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Sudan and Senegal. Xue adds: "the name of African airline was shown in this Air Show as well."

He says the Ministry of Transport, Civil Aviation Merchant Navy of the Republic of Congo announced to purchase 3 units of ARJ21 jet aircraft, becoming the launch customer in African continent for this model of aircraft.

ARJ21 is a state-of-the-art 90-seat regional jet which can cover the distance from Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg and Addis Ababa. This aircraft has gained 248 aircraft orders globally.

ARJ21 is expected to be delivered to its first internal customer in China by the end of this year and start to be delivered to foreign customers by the end of 2015. During the last month air show American Airline Corporation based in California announced the purchasing of 20 units of Y12 aircraft "believed to be a signal that Chinese aircraft manufacturing capability has been regarded as a leading one by the global market," Xue says.

There were more than 30 aircraft manufactured by AVIC Group presented in the Air Show, while 17 aircraft purchase agreements were signed and several aircraft delivery ceremonies were organised as well.

Those purchase agreements involved civil aircraft such as Y12 (18-seater), LE500 (light training aircraft), MA60 (56-seater), ARJ21 (90-seater jet) and C919-narrow body jet.

The Air show saw a number of aviation-related giants, consisting of around 700 exhibitors from 41 countries. AVIC started in 1950s and its current total assets are worth US $ 110 billion.

AVIC Group is not only the aircraft and helicopter manufacturer, but also a major supplier to other leading aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus.