Dar es Salaam – Air Tanzania has started direct flights connecting Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to Lagos, Nigeria, aiming to strengthen trade, tourism, and cultural ties between the two countries.
The launch took place at a ceremony in Lagos on Saturday, attended by Nigerian and Tanzanian government officials, business leaders, tourism representatives, logistics operators, and members of the African diaspora.
Tanzania’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Selestine Kakele, described the service as a “bridge across the skies” linking Nigeria and Tanzania and connecting Lagos on the west coast with Dar es Salaam on the east.
The Nigerian Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, through his representative Mrs. Janet Oputa, welcomed the new route and pledged government support. The route aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Single African Air Transport Market, he said, and is expected to boost trade and cultural exchange.
Leading the Tanzanian delegation, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Prof. Godius Kahyarara, highlighted the economic potential of the route. “Nigeria is Africa’s second-largest economy. Direct air services will strengthen trade, investment, and people-to-people connections between our nations,” he said. Prof. Kahyarara also credited President Samia Hassan’s vision for positioning Air Tanzania as a leading African airline with a modern fleet averaging 4.5 years in age.
Air Tanzania CEO, Eng. Peter Ulanga, encouraged Nigerian travellers to explore Tanzania’s attractions, from the Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar’s beaches. He also announced plans to expand cargo operations with freighters carrying up to 54 tonnes, facilitating trade between Nigerian yams and Tanzanian coffee.
The new service will operate three weekly flights from Dar es Salaam to Lagos on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with return flights from Lagos on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. With Lagos added to its network, Air Tanzania now connects 29 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, including Johannesburg, Nairobi, Dubai, Mumbai, and Guangzhou.
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