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Air Tanzania cracks down on ticket fraud after 32 traders stranded in Guangzhou
What you need to know:
- In a public statement, the national carrier said the passengers—who had traveled for business—raised concerns after being told by the agent that no seats were available on ATCL flights for their scheduled return dates.
Dar es Salaam. Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) has moved swiftly to curb ticketing fraud and protect passengers following a scam that left more than 30 Kariakoo-based traders stranded in Guangzhou, China.
The incident involved a Dar es Salaam-based travel agency known as Space Travel, operated by an individual identified as Yasmin Ladha.
According to ATCL, the affected passengers had purchased round-trip tickets from the agency but later discovered that their return bookings were fake.
In a public statement, the national carrier said the passengers—who had traveled for business—raised concerns after being told by the agent that no seats were available on ATCL flights for their scheduled return dates.
However, upon checking its reservation system, the airline found that the travelers’ names were not listed among those booked to return on those dates.
Further investigation revealed that the outbound tickets to Guangzhou were genuine, having been processed through a registered intermediary, Satguru Travel & Tour Services, via the Global Distribution System (GDS). However, the return tickets had been fraudulently created by Space Travel.
“This was a serious case of deception. The return tickets were not valid, and this left the passengers vulnerable to being stranded abroad,” ATCL said.
In an effort to assist those affected, ATCL allowed all 32 travelers to purchase new tickets and ensured they returned to Tanzania on dates of their choosing. The airline also reiterated its commitment to helping other customers looking to book return flights through its official representative in Guangzhou.
As part of its response, ATCL has directed all agents and GDS partners to cease any business dealings with Space Travel effective April 28, 2025. The airline also confirmed that legal action against the agency is currently underway.
Efforts to reach Space Travel and Yasmin Ladha for comment were unsuccessful.
ATCL has urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing tickets, advising customers to use verified sources such as the Air Tanzania Mobile App, the official website or to visit ATCL offices directly.
“If a customer chooses to buy a ticket through an agent, it is their responsibility to confirm that the ticket is registered in ATCL’s official system,” the statement read.
The incident has sparked renewed concerns over fraudulent ticketing in Tanzania's travel industry and prompted calls for greater regulation and vigilance.
