Thursday, September 25, 2025 - The Chief Executive Officer of Air Tanzania, Peter Ulanga has highlighted the economic and business opportunities to be exploited by Nigeria on the newly created window for direct flights between Lagos and the country’s capital, Dar Es Salaam.
He said the air connectivity would enhance trade, tourism,
and cultural exchange while also advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and
the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
Ulanga who disclosed this at the weekend during the launch
of the East African country’s direct flight into Nigeria said the new era of connectivity
will open new trade flows from Nigerian yams to Tanzanian coffee building
commerce and fueling prosperity.
While urging Nigerian travelers to explore Tanzania’s
world-class attractions; from the Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar’s
beaches, he said the air link will facilitate the celebration of Nigeria’s
energy, culture and entrepreneurial spirit.
Beyond passenger travel, Ulanga also announced plans to
expand cargo freighter operations, with a capacity for 54 tons.
He said: “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.
“This is more than a new route. It is a rhythm of progress,
starting with three weekly flights from Dar es Salaam to Lagos and return
flights from Lagos. Together, we are opening the skies to greater business,
tourism, and cultural exchange.”
He affirmed the airline’s commitment to safety, reliability
and excellence, promising passengers and cargo operators world-class service,
while building stronger bonds between East and West Africa.
He also extended his profound appreciation to the Government
and people of Nigeria for the warm embrace that made this dream a reality, to
the Ministry of Transport, United Republic of Tanzania, and to our project
partners – CRDB Bank, National Insurance Corporation (NIC), UTT AMIS and Boeing
– among others, whose support carried the airline “step by step, wing by wing”
to this milestone.
Aligning with the Air Tanzania chief executive
officer, Prof Godius Kahyarara, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Transport, who led the Tanzanian Government delegation to the launch, added:
“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 also hailed the leadership of President Samia
Suluhu Hassan, whose vision has positioned Air Tanzania among Africa’s leading
carriers, with 16 modern aircraft with an average fleet age of 4.5 years.
The launch brought together senior representatives of the
Nigerian and Tanzanian governments, tourism, business executives, logistics
operators and members of the African diaspora in Nigeria.
Tanzania Ambassador to Nigeria, Selestine Kakele, hailed the
launch as “the dawn of a new chapter; a bridge across the skies connecting two
magnificent nations, Nigeria and Tanzania, and two great cities: Lagos on the
west coast and Dar es Salaam on the east.”
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development in
Nigeria, Festus Keyamo, represented by Mrs. Janet Oputa, congratulated Air
Tanzania and pledged government strong support for the new service.
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