Dar Es Salaam — Wide with a 180-passenger capacity is the Turkish aircraft that is expected to make a maiden flight in Tanzania on June 10.

“Tanzania will be one of the 140 destinations that Turkish airline flies the world over,” said Ambassador of Turkey to Tanzania, Dr Sander Gurbuz, noting that the fare is going to be very reasonable and affordable for the travelers, with return ticket costing about 600 US dollars.

Speaking at his office soon after arriving from Turkey, the Ambassador said that between 20,000 and 30,000 Turkish holiday makers and businesspeople will be able to travel to Tanzania annually.

He also mentioned that other tourists from Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and other European countries will be eyeing the flight to visit the country.

For the businesspeople, it is even easier for them to fly by Turkish airline especially from that region, as it is an important hub for many businesspeople.

“For those who want to proceed to other European destinations the departure and arrivals have been made very convenient,” said the Ambassador.

According to him, the Turkish plane will be departing late in the evening from Dar es Salaam and arrive in Istanbul early in the morning.

Kikwete’s visit to Turkey was concluded last month, with some of the key areas of cooperation between Tanzania and Turkey in the aviation business identified.

Recently Tanzanian Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Bernard Membe said the Turkish Airline has shown interest to join other big airlines to establish schedule flights to Tanzania as step to foster stronger bilateral trade ties between Turkey and Tanzania.

While in Tanzania, the Turkish president said he was disappointed in the lack of direct flights between the two countries. Turkish travelers visiting Tanzania have to pass through Nairobi in Kenya.

Turkish Airlines operates on a network of scheduled services to 140 global destinations and 135 domestic destinations. It serves 155 airports in Europe, Asia, Africa and America.

The airline operates flights in 11 African airports including Nairobi, the newly established destination launched during last weekend’s visit in Kenya by the Turkish president.

Other African destinations where the airline operates are Cairo, Addis Ababa, Khartoum, Lagos, Tripoli, Tunis, Algiers, Casablanca, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The Turkish president said investors from his country were interested in the infrastructure and construction of airports.

President Gul and his host, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, witnessed a signing of a protocol on technical, scientific and economic cooperation in agriculture.

“The protocol will serve as an important reminder of the commitment and readiness of our two governments to work together in partnership for our mutual benefit,” said President Kikwete said.

President Gul and his delegation of over 100 businessmen visited Kenya and Tanzania last week.