Kenya Airways and Air Tanzania have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening regional aviation through expanded cooperation in cargo, training, aircraft maintenance, safety, and innovation.
The agreement, signed on July 28 in Dar es Salaam, signals a shift toward collaboration over competition in East Africa’s aviation sector. Both airlines said the deal will enhance connectivity, unlock new markets, and improve the efficiency and sustainability of their operations.
Cargo at the Heart of Cooperation
A key feature of the MoU is expanded cargo collaboration. Kenya Airways, which moves over 70,000 tonnes of cargo annually through its Nairobi hub to 45 global destinations (including 37 in Africa), will work with Air Tanzania to offer more flexible and efficient cargo solutions across the region.
Kenya Airways operates a fleet of 35 aircraft, including four freighters, the latest being a Boeing 737-800F received in April 2024. Air Tanzania, meanwhile, flies a fleet of 16 aircraft, including a Boeing 767-300F dedicated to cargo.
The partnership aligns with Kenya’s status as a global exporter of fresh produce and flowers, and with Swissport Tanzania’s IATA CEIV Fresh certification at Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport in March 2024—signaling growing potential in perishable air freight.
Beyond Cargo: Broader Strategic Cooperation
The MoU also includes cooperation on:
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Training and capacity building
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Engineering and aircraft maintenance
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Safety and operational standards
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Innovation in aviation services
Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka emphasized the importance of regional alignment:
“By collaborating closely with Air Tanzania, we can jointly offer our cargo clients more flexible and efficient solutions, while supporting trade, tourism, and economic development in East Africa.”
Air Tanzania CEO Peter Ulanga highlighted the broader impact:
“This collaboration marks a major milestone in expanding our regional presence. Together with Kenya Airways, we’re building a stronger, more connected aviation network that benefits our economies and our people.”
Expanding Regional Reach
Air Tanzania’s international network already includes routes to Dubai, Mumbai, Guangzhou, Johannesburg, Kinshasa, Nairobi, and Lusaka, among others. Upcoming additions include Juba, Lagos, Accra, Muscat, and London. Domestically, it serves 10 airports across Tanzania.
Kenya Airways, a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, connects to over 1,060 destinations in 173 countries, leveraging its regional hub at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
