Precision Air (PW, Dar es Salaam) is prioritising the revival of its fleet to stabilise its business after the impacts of Covid-19, global supply chain disruptions, engine part shortages, and rising operational costs. The airline is taking a cautious, step-by-step approach to mitigate financial risks. Once stability is achieved, it will proceed with its planned fleet expansion as part of its five-year strategy, according to Group Managing Director and CEO Patrick Mwanri.

Speaking to ch-aviation on the sidelines of the recent African Airlines Association (AFRAA) annual general assembly in Cairo, Egypt, he explained: "We are focusing on stabilising our internal operations before considering any expansion. With rising maintenance costs and other challenges, we're working to adapt to the current environment."

In 2022, the company's five-year strategy had been to expand its ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprop fleet to add frequency and flexibility to its schedule. Mwanri confirmed that the private Tanzanian carrier had no intention to upgauge or expand into the jet market before stabilising its core ATR fleet.

"We're focusing on the turboprop market at this time. The good news is it has recovered to pre-Covid levels. With Tanzania's strategy to improve its tourist numbers to five million and promote its touristic destinations, we are still seeing that there is a big potential for the turboprop aircraft we operate," he explained. However, he added that the airline still ultimately plans to introduce jets for routes where it believes it could perform better.

"Progress is good, but we're not yet at the desired level. We expect to reach that target by 2026. At operating level we’re currently at a profit in some months, but there are still some challenges that affect our numbers like the exchange rate, historical issues, and other operational matters. If everything goes well, we aim to break even operationally by 2026," Mwanri said.

According to ADS-B data, the airline operates a fleet of eight ATR turboprops, of which six are currently in active service. Mwanri said the rest are delayed in maintenance due to supply-chain issues but are expected to return online one by one.

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, the fleet comprises one ATR42-500 dry-leased from Swala Leasing & Finance and two ATR42-600s leased from Precision Air's special purpose vehicle (SPV) Antelope Leasing Limited, currently stored in Dar es Salaam. The airline also has ATR72-500s leased from Swala, two of which are on C-checks and awaiting engines. It wet-leased an additional ATR72-500 from Jump Air (JUP, Vilnius) for five months earlier this year. Mwanri said Precision Air was likely to approach the Lithuanian carrier again in future should the need for additional capacity arise.

Broadening network

Current destinations served with the single ATR42-500 in service include domestic airports such as Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Arusha, Kahama, Shinyanga, and Seronera in the Serengeti National Park, plus international routes to Nairobi Wilson (Kenya) and Hahaya and Anjouan in Comoros. The ATR72-500s mainly operate domestically and between Tanzania (Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Mwanza, Dodoma, Zanzibar, Mtwara, and Kilimanjaro) and Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta (Kenya). It also does charter services within and outside Tanzania.

According to Mwanri, Precision Air intends to reintroduce its domestic route to Bukoba via Mwanza over the forthcoming festive season to capitalise on holiday demand. He said the route was suspended because of capacity issues, but one of the ATR42-600s will return to service soon and be deployed on the route. Other domestic destinations to be added with the aircraft are Kahama, Shinyanga, Tanga, Iringa, and Songea.

Mwanri also sees significant potential for Precision Air with ongoing upgrades to airstrips in Tanzania, such as Iringa, which serves the southern highlands tourism region, Mtemere serving the Nyerere National Park, and the Mara airport that will serve the Serengeti National Park via the Mugumu route.

"These improvements open up new opportunities for us. Additionally, with the country joining the East African Community, we see further potential for expansion, such as to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are currently in talks with two clients to explore extending our operations," he said.

Meanwhile, Precision Air is finalising an agreement with the Comoros government to start flights to Moheli. The CEO said the airline is already operating 4x weekly cabotage flights between Hahaya and Anjouan in the archipelago and is looking to connect Comoros with other neighbouring countries.

On another front, Precision Air is expanding its Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) services, having secured various certifications. The airline currently provides maintenance services to clients such as Flightlink (YS, Dar es Salaam) and the Efatha Church, along with additional services for various customers in Tanzania. It recently supported KLM Royal Dutch Airlines with engine change services. By Hilka Birns, CV-Aviation

JUBA – South Sudan’s ambassador to the United States, Santino Fardol W. Dicken, has accused the deputy head of mission, Angong Dhol Acuil, of physically assaulting him in his office at the embassy in Washington.

The ambassador described the incident, which occurred on November 25, 2024, as a “violent attack” and has reported the matter to local police.

Graphic images circulating on social media show the ambassador with blood around his mouth, allegedly resulting from injuries sustained during the altercation.

In a letter addressed to the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation in Juba, Fardol detailed the assault and characterized it as both a personal attack and an affront to the authority of the South Sudanese state. 

He accused Ambassador Angong, who is the daughter of South Sudan’s minister of general education and foreign affairs, Awut Deng Achuil, of escalating tensions at the embassy through a pattern of misconduct and insubordination.

“I was violently attacked today, 25^th of November 2024, injured and insulted by the Deputy Head of Mission, Ambassador Angong Dhol Acuil, within my office,” Fardol wrote in his letter obtained by Sudans Post.

“This behaviour is unacceptable, mainly because it targeted me in my capacity as the Special Envoy of the President and Head of Mission,” he added.

The ambassador also alleged that the incident followed months of unresolved issues involving the deputy head of mission. 

He questioned why his prior reports of Acuil’s alleged absenteeism and unauthorized actions had been ignored by the ministry, emphasizing that her behavior had severely undermined the embassy’s operations.

“How can a diplomat be absent for 70 days, resume duties without reporting to the Head of Mission, and write unauthorized letters to foreign governments without the Head of Mission knowing the content?” he asked in his letter.

The ambassador accused Acuil of a broader pattern of disruptive behavior, stating that she had previously been involved in physical altercations with other diplomats, including Ambassador Gordon Buay, who was the charge de affairs at the mission, and had a history of abusive interactions with embassy staff.

“This pattern of misconduct is not new. Amb. Angong has previously exhibited similar behavior, including a physical altercation with Ambassador Gordon Buay and abuse of other Heads of Mission, diplomats, and local employees,” he wrote. 

Fardol further alleged that after the attack, Acuil threatened local embassy staff, creating an atmosphere of fear. He called on the ministry of foreign affairs to collect statements from witnesses, including his executive secretary, drivers, and other embassy personnel, who he said observed the altercation and have already provided accounts to the police.

The ambassador, citing fears for his safety, stated that he could no longer work with the deputy.

“As my life is in danger, I must reiterate my position: I cannot and will not work with an immoral, violent, abusive, and unethical lady like Amb. Angong,” he said. 

The incident has sparked widespread reactions online, with graphic images of Ambassador Fardol showing blood around his mouth circulating across social media platforms.

Many users have expressed outrage, calling for immediate action by South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Fardol also raised concerns about the ministry’s failure to act on his previous reports, questioning why no measures were taken to address the issues he had repeatedly flagged since March 2024.

He described Acuil’s actions as a gross violation of diplomatic norms and a direct challenge to the authority of his office.

The ambassador’s accusations against Acuil come as a significant embarrassment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has not yet issued an official response to the allegations.

Observers say the involvement of Acuil’s mother, Awut Deng Achuil, as the country’s Minister of General Education and Foreign Affairs, complicates the matter and places additional pressure on the ministry to ensure impartiality in handling the case.

“I trust you will consider this matter seriously before I can take legal action against Amb. Angong Dhol Acuil, if necessary,” Fardol warned in his letter to the ministry.

The incident has reignited debates about professionalism and accountability within South Sudan’s diplomatic missions.

Critics have called on the ministry of foreign affairs to address the internal issues plaguing its embassies and to ensure the safety and dignity of its envoys, but the ministry has not yet commented on the incident. By Sudan's Post

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested the Head of Human Resource and Administration at the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) over allegations of corruption involving a Sh40,539,760 tender for the provision of staff medical cover.

EACC Thursday confirmed that authorities apprehended Henry Mwasaru in an operation that also targeted two insurance brokers suspected of participating in the scam.

The arrest took place in Naivasha, where Mwasaru was attending a training session. He was subsequently escorted to the EACC Integrity Centre Offices in Nairobi.

Mwasaru is accused of colluding with Bevaline Lundu, the Head of Supply Chain Management at KMA, to fraudulently award the medical insurance tender to an agency in violation of procurement laws.

“The operation, conducted pursuant to court orders, yielded valuable evidentiary material that will support the ongoing investigation. Investigations commenced following a complaint received on September 30, 2024, alleging that KMA officials had corruptly and irregularly awarded the tender,” the EACC stated.

The Commission highlighted that it has increased scrutiny of staff medical insurance procurement processes in public institutions, as such tenders are often exploited for embezzlement through bid rigging and kickbacks.

“The outcome of the ongoing investigation will determine the next course of action, which may include prosecution and recovery of any public funds fraudulently paid out,” the EACC added. By Sharon Resian, Capital News