► TANZANIA: Air Tanzania temporarily ceases operations as 737 deal with AeroVista is called off.

What was touted as a new beginning for beleaguered Tanzanian national carrier, Air Tanzania (TC), has now turned into a nasty ordeal with the possibility of litigation after Air Tanzania suspended its contract with Dubai-based ACMI AeroVista from whom it leased a Boeing 737-500, effectively grounding the carrier.

► RWANDA: RwandAir orders Q400NG; adds Mwanza from July.

Following on from yesterday's conclusion of the Bombardier Q400NG Roadshow in Kigali, RwandAir has announced its intention to buy a Bombardier Q400NG turboprop, to replace its existing ageing fleet of Bombardier Dash 8s, which presently fly short routes from Kigali to Kamembe, Gisenyi, Bujumbura and onto new destination, Mwanza in Tanzania.

Bombardier Q400 NextGen Africa Tour

 "After a flight demonstration to Kamembe by the Bombardier team yesterday, RwandAir’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Mirenge, said that the move is part of the carrier’s expansion plans.“This is a good aircraft with new features and enough seating capacity,” he pointed out.       

The Sales Director for Bombardier Aerospace, Sameer Adam, said the 74 seat capacity aircraft has the ability to operate from shorter runways and deliver the quietest and most vibration free passenger cabin of any propeller driven aircraft.  He explained that the aircraft was designed to meet the requirements for high-density, short-haul services. "

 Read More Here [In2EastAfrica]

Bombardier's aircraft appear to have become a hit with the Rwandan airline, as in March, they decided to replace their two CRJ-200 with two CRJ-900NGs to be delivered in October of this year.

In addition to the new aircraft, it was also announced that RwandAir would start a 3x weekly Kigali - Mwanza, Tanzania service using a Dash-8, with effect from 2 July 2012.

RwandAir: Kigali - Mwanza (from 2 July 2012)

• WB401 KGL1115 – 1315MWZ DH8 136

• WB402 MWZ1345 – 1345KGL DH8 136

Read More Here [Airline Route]