AIR Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) has announced plans to partner with the National Institute of Transport (NIT) to provide tailor-made aviation courses in a bid to uplift the country's aviation sector.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony of 39 Air Tanzania Training College students in Dar es Salaam at the weekend, the ATCL Acting CEO Capt. Lusajo Lazaro said the move aimed at ensuring that aviation professionals are readily available especially at this time when the airline industry is attracting more players. He did not say when but it will be soon, he hinted.

"This initiative will help close the gap of aviation professionals in the country. It is no doubt that we will need more professionals to enhance our service delivery especially at this time, as we embark on our five year development strategy that seeks to increase the company's fleet and routes," he said.

Captain Lazaro also said ATCL was set to embrace all the opportunities that will issue from broader implementation of the East African Community (EAC) common market protocol for free movement of goods and services within the region.

"The common market protocol will create a lot of opportunities and we are set to embrace them. We have plans to increasing our fleet and where possible partner with other regional airlines. We need skilled and competent staff if we are to be on a competitive edge," he added.

Earlier, Yasmin Khanj speaking on behalf of other ATCL Training College graduands said they would use the skills acquired to contribute to the development of the country's aviation industry. "This is truly a dawning in our lives. We call upon ATCL to consider incorporating us in the company so that we can get the necessary experience to compete and serve effectively," she said.

The ATCL Training College Principal Lawrence Mhomwa, however, said the graduands after completing seven modules at the aviation college that include customer care, aviation security, cabin crew service management, safety and security training and aviation medicine, among others, have the capacity to work for any airline company whether local or foreign.