Precision Air (PW) has announced a temporal suspension of its Dar es Salaam-Mbeya flights, claiming that the route is non-performing due to the unavailability of jet fuel at Songwe Airport.
The suspension will become effective on June 21st, according to the airline’s Brand and Marketing Coordinator, Hillary Mremi.
“The suspension is due to the route’s poor performance which was driven mainly by the unavailability of jet fuel in Mbeya, a situation which necessitated the airline to carry fuel from Dar es Salaam. By so doing our ability to maximize passenger loads has been limited,” he said in a statement.
The airline has been flying to Mbeya on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
While apologizing to its passengers for the inconveniences, PW said it would monitor the route’s situation with a view to resuming operations as soon as conditions allows.
“Passengers holding tickets on the affected flights will be refunded. Arrangements have been made to facilitate the refunds through Precision Air or travel agent offices depending on where the tickets were purchased from,” Mr. Mremi said.
PW launched its Dar es Salaam-Mbeya flights in January last year. During the inauguration, the airline was compelled to reduce the number of passengers from 70 to 50 during the Dar es Salaam-Mbeya flight to provide space for fuel due to lack of it at Songwe Airport. The airline used its 70-seater ATR-72 aircraft to flag off its services on the new route.
PW Board Chairman, Michael Shirima had hinted during the inauguration that the Dar es Salaam-Mbeya route would be expensive due to the unavailability of jet fuel in Mbeya.
He asked the government to look for an investor to supply jet fuel at Songwe Airport so that airlines flying to the airport can reduce operational costs.
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