The Tanzanian government expects its first B767-300F to be delivered in June 2023 to boost Air Tanzania's cargo operations, according to Deputy Minister for Work and Transport Atupele Mwakibete.

The state-owned carrier's first dedicated freighter will be based at Kilimanjaro, which would become a strategic hub for cargo operations, he said in response to a question in Parliament by Saashisha Elinikyo Mafuwe, the Constituent Member for Hai, The Citizen reports. Mwakibete did not disclose more details about the aircraft, the registration number of which is still unknown.

Mafuwe had questioned why the government was not allowing cargo aircraft to land at Kilimanjaro International Airport without paying landing fees to boost the country's agribusiness. Mwakibete responded that the government was ready to review landing fees for all cargo aircraft. "Currently, we do not have special cargo aircraft which have specific schedules to land at Kilimanjaro International Airport," he said but added that cargo was being transported in belly holds at present.

The flag carrier's fleet comprises four A220-300s, two B787-8s, one DHC-8-Q300, and five DHC-8-Q400s, according to the ch-aviation fleets module. Apart from the freighter, it has on order two B737-9s and one B787-8.