Precision Air
A privately owned Tanzanian scheduled airline linking major domestic cities with regional destinations across eastern and southern Africa, primarily through its Dar es Salaam hub.
About Precision Air
Precision Air is a Tanzanian scheduled airline founded in 1993 by aviator and entrepreneur Michael Shirima. It began with private charter and aerial-survey work before developing scheduled passenger services in 1999. The carrier operates under the Precision Air identity and has historically combined Tanzanian private ownership with periods of investment from Kenya Airways. Its network role is focused principally on connecting communities, commercial centres and tourism gateways in Tanzania with selected regional destinations.
Dar es Salaam is Precision Air's primary departure hub, while Kilimanjaro, Mwanza and Zanzibar are important operating points within its network. The airline serves 14 destinations across 7 countries through 37 routes. Domestic links include Mwanza, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Arusha and Bukoba, while international services extend to cities such as Nairobi, Entebbe, Johannesburg, Lubumbashi, Lusaka and Mombasa. This mix supports local travel, business journeys, tourism and onward regional connections.
Aircraft types associated with Precision Air's operations include the ATR 42-300/320, ATR 42-500, ATR 72 and Boeing 737-300. The turboprop ATR family is particularly suited to the airline's short regional sectors and airports where runway or traffic conditions do not require larger jets. Service is generally straightforward and designed around short- and medium-haul flying, with cabin products varying by aircraft and route. Travellers should confirm the operating aircraft and included services when booking.
Precision Air is not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld, so passengers should not expect the broad reciprocal benefits associated with a global airline alliance. The carrier has operated its own loyalty programme, PAA Royal, for customers who regularly use its services. Programme availability, earning rules and redemption arrangements can change, making it sensible for members to confirm current conditions directly with the airline before relying on points or status benefits.
A practical strength of Precision Air is its coverage of Tanzanian destinations that can otherwise involve long overland journeys, together with useful regional links from the country's main gateways. Its ATR aircraft are well matched to many thinner routes, although turboprop cabins can feel noisier and more compact than larger jets. Schedules on smaller regional networks may also be more vulnerable to operational changes, so passengers should allow adequate connection time and monitor flight updates.
Good to know
Flying with Precision Air — what to expect
Turboprop Operations
Many Precision Air services use ATR turboprops, which suit shorter regional routes but may feel noisier and more compact than larger jet aircraft.
Check Baggage Terms
Baggage allowances can depend on the fare, route and ticket conditions. Review the allowance shown on your booking before arriving at the airport.
Allow Connection Time
Leave a comfortable buffer when connecting through Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro or another regional airport, particularly if the onward flight is on a separate ticket.
Monitor Schedule Changes
Regional schedules can change for operational or weather-related reasons. Reconfirm departure details and check the airline's latest flight information before travelling.
Cabin Expectations
Service is generally oriented toward relatively short flights, so onboard amenities may be simpler than those offered by long-haul full-service carriers.
Network overview
Where Precision Air flies
Precision Air operates 37 routes to 14 destinations across 7 countries, its longest sector reaching Dar Es Salaam to Johannesburg (2,437 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Precision Air flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Dar Es Salaam → Johannesburg
2,437 km · DAR → JNB
The longest sector in the Precision Air network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Precision Air
Reviews of Precision Air
TripAdvisor · 2022–2023- 53
- 44
- 33
- 23
- 137
What travellers flew
Counted from the 50 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
DO NOT EVER FLY THIS AIRLINE
The planes are old overbooked and ragged. The staff is uninformed and unorganized. And I have been stranded in this airport for nearly twelve hours past my original departure time with NO EXPLANATION FOR THE DELAY. This is the worst flying experience I have… See more ever had. DO NOT FLY THIS AIRLINE EVEN IF RHE FLIGHTS ARE FREE. I would rather take a boat or rent a raggedy bicycle. PRECISION AIRLINES SHOULD NOT BE FLYING PLANES ANYWHERE!!!
See lessPosted June 2023 by Judge Gino
Terrible service
Two journeys both late. The most annoying thing is the staff in airport did not give any announcement explaining delay or updates on departure time over an hour after we are meant to depart. Absolutely hopeless and now in danger of missing a connecting flight.… See more If you have any choice don't fly with precision air
See lessPosted June 2023 by Claudine J
The worst airline in Tanzania
The flight takes only 30 minutes, but here I am with a 2 hours flight delay. Again. And you are only told once you ask. Bloody incompetent everyone here.
Posted May 2023 by Mzee
Paid for 2 tickets and never received them
We purchased 2 tickets on April 14, 2023 from Precision Air and haven't received them. I've emailed Precision Air several times and they say it is something I need to clear up with E-Com. E-Com has been cc'd in the correspondence via email and they never… See more respond to my inquiries. I have proof on my credit card that the flights were paid for and have sent it to them along along with the PNR reference number. I'm getting no where after 1 month of following up with Precision Air. Precision Air replies to my emails (sometimes it takes a while), but they put me off to someone else all the time. Beware! We booked online right from their site and not through a 3rd party. Sometimes you don't have an option but to fly a certain airline because of routing. I don't want to dive in and purchase another ticket after what's happened.
See lessPosted May 2023 by Travel wise
A nice experience with Precision Air
We had a smooth journey from Dar Es Salam to Arusha and a week later from Arusha to Zanzibar. Easy email correspondence day before when flight suddenly was scheduled 2 hours later than originally. Easy to buy tickets online. Easy online check-in. Snacks and… See more drinks on board. Family of 5.
See lessPosted May 2023 by Michael Hjort C, Esbjerg
Clowns
Do not fly with this airline. First leg from Zanzibar to Arusha went OK. They sent me a text the day before to say that the flight was delayed by an hour. This was good communication. Unfortunately the same can't be said for the return journey. We arrived at… See more 0800 for the 0905 departure to be told that the flight was delayed by 2 hours due 'operational reasons'. At 1100 the staff came around to tell us that the flight was now cancelled and we would fly on the afternoon service leaving around 1500. 1600 the flight we would be taking lands and bursts a tyre on landing making the aircraft unserviceable. They wouldn't tell anyone this though. I was aware something was wrong as I work in the aviation industry. Eventually they told us that a bus would come in 20 minutes to take us to Kilimanjaro airport where an aircraft was waiting for us. After 90 minutes, the bus finally arrived and took us to Kilimanjaro airport. Here we were told to check in again. The check in guys looked at us as iff we were from another planet - useless. They started hand writing boarding passes. When we eventually boarded after 14.5 hours total delay there were three gentlemen who had been given double seat allocation. These guys were unceremoniously told to get off the plane and take the next one. We finally arrived in Zanzibar at 0100 the next day completely missing out on the relaxed afternoon on the beach we thought we were going to have.
See lessPosted April 2023 by SwedenKangaroo, Dubai
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
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FAQ
Precision Air — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Precision Air serves 14 destinations across 7 countries and operates 37 routes.
- Lower fares are generally easier to find when booking early, travelling outside holiday periods and comparing flexible midweek dates. Prices can rise around major festivals and peak tourism seasons.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- Precision Air serves domestic Tanzanian cities and regional destinations across eastern and southern Africa. Its network includes Dar Es Salaam, Mwanza, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Nairobi, Entebbe, Johannesburg, Lubumbashi, Lusaka and Mombasa.
- Dar Es Salaam is Precision Air's primary departure hub. Kilimanjaro, Nairobi, Mwanza and Zanzibar are also significant airports within its route network.
- The busiest departure points by number of Precision Air routes are Dar Es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Nairobi, Mwanza and Zanzibar.
- Carry-on limits can vary by fare and aircraft, and space may be restricted on ATR turboprops. Check the baggage conditions attached to your ticket for the current size and weight allowance.
- Precision Air's longest route is Dar Es Salaam to Johannesburg, covering about 2,437 km nonstop.