NMB Bank, Air Tanzania announce first-of-its-kind initiative to enhance air travel payments

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, NMB Bank and Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) yesterday announced a new partnership that does not only provide convenience and flexibility for air travel payments but also ensures safety for air travelers.

Under the new arrangement, the national flag carrier’s passengers and their checked-in luggage will automatically be insured during both domestic and foreign flights upon paying for their tickets using NMB payment solutions.

Speaking during the announcement of the partnership at the bank’s head office in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the NMB Chief Executive Officer Ruth Zaipuna said the partnership is another step forward in providing the bank’s customers with the best offerings in the market.

Zaipuna said Air Tanzania’s customers can now capitalize on the bank’s 226 branch network and over 23,000 banking agents across the country to pay for their air tickets.

“This new partnership is a manifestation of our commitment to offer a suite of benefits that are aligned to the needs of today’s traveler. We are delighted to partner with Air Tanzania to power this unique payment solution that seeks to deliver a seamless and secure travel and payment experience.” Zaipuna said.

Zaipuna said the bank will partner with Reliance Insurance to compensate ATCL travelers in cases of luggage loss, accidents and flight delays.

“Under this arrangement, 5m/- will be compensated in case of death or permanent disability, 300,00/- for lost checked-in baggage and 150,000/- for any canceled or flight delays,” Zaipuna said.

The ATCL Managing Director Ladislaus Matindi described the new partnership as a ‘game-changer’ adding that it will offer the company’s customers a new payment experience.

Matindi noted that the national airline is currently building new and enhanced digital payment capabilities as part of its commitment to transform the payment experience for its customers.

“We are committed to improve our systems to ensure convenience for our customers. We are today announcing a new partnership with NMB and we believe with its wide branch-network and its wide range of digital payment solutions, our customers will enjoy seamless air tickets payment services,” he said.

Matindi noted that the airline plans to increase its fleet to 16 by early next year and embark on extending its wings both domestically and internationally.

“We are set to open new routes and improve frequencies for international routes including China and India. We are grateful to the sixth Phase Government under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for its unwavering support to ensure that our airline operates efficiently,” he said.