Air Tanzania has officially commenced direct flights between Lagos and Dar es Salaam, marking a significant milestone in regional aviation connectivity. The new route is expected to cut travel time to less than five hours and strengthen economic, cultural, and tourism ties between Nigeria and Tanzania.
Speaking at the launch in Lagos, the Permanent Secretary of Tanzania’s Ministry of Transport, Professor Godius Kahyararara, announced that the Tanzanian government will introduce reforms to simplify visa access for Nigerians. He assured travellers that “within a week, there will be major changes in the visa system,” following discussions between both countries to ensure the new route delivers maximum benefits.
Kahyararara emphasized that the Lagos connection was designed to enhance Africa’s intra-continental links. He noted that many Nigerians, especially tourists heading to Zanzibar, had previously faced longer travel routes through Addis Ababa or Nairobi. “Now, it will be possible to reach Tanzania in under five hours, making tourism and business exchanges more convenient,” he said.
Also present at the event, Tanzania’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Selestine Kakele, described Nigeria as a strategic partner, highlighting its status as Africa’s second-largest economy. He stressed that the new direct flights would deepen bilateral relations, boost trade, encourage investment, and strengthen people-to-people connections between the two nations.
In his remarks, Eng. Peter Ulanga, CEO of Air Tanzania, outlined the economic opportunities the route presents. Beyond passenger travel, he revealed plans to expand cargo services with a freighter capacity of 54 tons. This, he said, would unlock fresh trade flows, from Nigerian yam exports to Tanzanian coffee, thereby fueling prosperity on both sides.
Ulanga also encouraged Nigerians to explore Tanzania’s world-renowned attractions, from the Serengeti National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro to the sandy beaches of Zanzibar. He added that the Lagos route further integrates into Air Tanzania’s broader network of 29 destinations spanning Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, including Johannesburg, Nairobi, Dubai, Mumbai, and Guangzhou.
The airline confirmed that the service will initially operate three times a week, with flights departing Dar es Salaam on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and return flights from Lagos scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Ulanga described the launch not just as a new route, but “a rhythm of progress and a shared destiny for our people.”
Industry stakeholders believe the direct flight and visa reforms could be a turning point for trade and tourism between Nigeria and Tanzania. The move is expected to stimulate business, cultural exchanges, and tourism traffic, further positioning both countries as key players in Africa’s economic integration and aviation growth.
