Dar es Salaam. It has been revealed that an Air Tanzania plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, has been grounded in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for close to eight months, with little known about the aircraft’s maintenance status, although the national carrier, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), says the jet is set to fly again next month.
The aircraft, registered as 5H-TCJ and christened Rubondo Island (Hapa Kazi Tu), is parked at the ex-Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) area in Kuala Lumpur, appearing forlorn with both its Rolls-Royce Trent engines removed, which has raised questions given the aircraft’s relatively young age.
Speaking to The Citizen about the presence of the aircraft in Kuala Lumpur, ATCL’s Director General Ladilaus Matindi said the plane was taken to Malaysia for mandatory maintenance in November 2023.
“This is why it appears to be missing both engines. Due to the high number of engines requiring mandatory maintenance and the scarcity of rental engines, aircraft often have to wait for their turn for engine maintenance to arrive and be completed,” said Matindi
ATCL plane grounded in Malaysia. Photo | Instagram @malaysianwings2.0
According to Mr Matindi, maintenance work on these engines is expected to be completed early next month and for the aircraft to return to Tanzania.
He did not, however, say how the almost eight-month delay had affected the operations of the national carrier.
Delivered in July 2018 at a cost of $224.6 million, the 787-8 Dreamliner was the fourth aircraft to be purchased by the Tanzanian government in an effort to revamp the ailing national carrier, Air Tanzania.
In October 2022, the national carrier grounded three of its four Airbus A220-300 twin jets after they developed technical issues with their Prat and Whitney engines.
Though one of the planes returned into operation a month later, the saga escalated after ATCL took the matter to the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), with four airlines collaborating to pressurize the manufacturers to find a solution.
ATCL plane grounded in Malaysia. Photo | Instagram @malaysianwings2.0
In another development, the Bombardier Q300 aircraft, which has been in Malta since 2020, is set to return home in June.
“Its maintenance has already been completed, and it is awaiting test flights and the replacement of the landing gear system,” said Mr Matindi.
Late last year, it emerged that another ATCL plane, a Bombardier Q 300 had been grounded for three years after a major malfunction forced its journey to the European nation for major repairs.
ATCL attributed the extended stay of the plane in Malta to its age and the difficulty in sourcing spare parts for the required overhaul.
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
