Aviation
Air Tanzania Launches Direct Lagos–Dar es Salaam Flights
The Tanzanian government has pledged to reform its visa system to make travel easier for Nigerians following the launch of Air Tanzania’s direct flights between Lagos and Dar es Salaam.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Professor Godius Kahyararara, made this disclosure in Lagos during the official launch of the new route.
According to him, the direct flight will cut travel time to less than five hours, offering Nigerians faster access to Tanzania, especially popular tourist destinations like Zanzibar.
“What I can promise is that within a week, there will be major changes in the visa system. We have already discussed this with our colleagues in Nigeria and Tanzania, and it is one of the issues that must be resolved to ensure the direct flight benefits both countries,” Kahyararara said.
He explained that many Nigerians had previously relied on longer routes through Addis Ababa or Nairobi to reach Tanzania, adding that the new Lagos route would boost connectivity across Africa.
Also speaking, Tanzania’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Selestine Kakele, emphasized the importance of the route in deepening bilateral relations.
“Nigeria is Africa’s second largest economy after South Africa. In certain indicators, Egypt also ranks second after South Africa. For us, this represents a great opportunity to open up Tanzania by establishing direct air transport services that connect our two nations. This connection will strengthen trade, investment, and people-to-people ties between Tanzania and Nigeria,” he said.
On his part, Air Tanzania CEO, Eng. Peter Ulanga, highlighted the potential for growth in both tourism and trade.
He noted that the airline would not only serve passengers but also expand cargo freighter operations with a 54-ton capacity, opening new trade flows from Nigerian yams to Tanzanian coffee.
“With Lagos now in our network, Air Tanzania connects to 29 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, including Johannesburg, Nairobi, Dubai, Mumbai, and Guangzhou. This is more than a timetable, it is a rhythm of progress and a shared destiny for our people,” Ulanga said.
He further described the Lagos–Dar es Salaam route as more than just a new connection:
“This is more than a new route. It is a rhythm of progress, starting with three weekly flights from Dar es Salaam to Lagos (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and return flights from Lagos (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday). Together, we are opening the skies to greater business, tourism, and cultural exchange.”
