From
http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=44080
Natural Resources and Tourism minister Hamis Kagasheki (L) is all
smiles as he disembarks at KIA from Qatar Airways Airbus A320 that launched its
Doha-Kilimanjaro maiden flight yesterday. Shaking hands with Kilimanjaro
Two more other international Airliners that include Turkish Airlines and
Emirates Air plan to launch direct flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport
(KIA) following the rehabilitation of the airport spearheaded by the Kilimanjaro
Airport Development Company (KADCO), the Natural Resources and Tourism Minister
Khamis Kagasheki has said.
KADCO, the company that manages operations of
the KIA has already secured a USD30m from a Netherlands-based firm, Orion Grand
Facility in a bid to transform KIA into a fully-fledged tourist’s
gateway.
Speaking at the maiden launch of Qatar Airways Doha –Kilimanjaro
route at KIA yesterday, Kagasheki said KIA will now be able to get connections
from the rest of the world which will help increase tourist inflow into the
country as well as increasing the country’s revenue earnings.
“We have unique
tourist sites that can attract more visitors in to the country. We need to
embark on an aggressive marketing campaign that will help lure more tourists
into the country.
“The good news is that we have respectable airline
companies flying directly into the country that will help connect us to the rest
of the world,” he said.
Earlier, the Transport Minister, Dr Harrison
Mwakyembe speaking on Qatar Airways flight to Kilimanjaro said the airline’s
decision to vie the Doha-Kilimanjaro route will be of great significance to the
country.
The KADCO Board Chairman Ambassador Hassan Gumbo Kibelloh however
said the company will provide a five-star handling company to all the companies
interested in using the airport.
“Airlines interested in flying to KIA should
be rest assured that they will get five-star handling services to match their
status. Our vision is not only to make KIA a competitive airport but also
dedicated to environmental conservation,” he said.
The Qatar Airways
Chief Commercial Officer Marwan Koleilat during the occasion said the company’s
launch of the Doha-Kilimanjaro route is commitment to providing world-class
services adding that Kilimanjaro will now be connected to a variety of
destinations across the country.
Qatar Airways joins other major airlines
such as KLM, Edelweiss air, Condor air and Ethiopian Airlines to fly to the
northern located international airport.