Air Tanzania has officially commenced direct flights between Lagos and Dar es Salaam, with the Tanzanian government pledging swift reforms to its visa system to make travel smoother for Nigerians.
The announcement came from Professor Godius Kahyararara, Permanent Secretary of Tanzania’s Ministry of Transport, during the route launch in Lagos.
He explained that the move was part of a broader effort to boost intra-African connectivity.
According to him, travelers from Nigeria—particularly tourists headed to Zanzibar—had long been burdened by detours through Addis Ababa or Nairobi.
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With the new service, the journey to Tanzania will now take under five hours.
Kahyararara assured that significant visa policy changes would be rolled out within a week, following discussions between officials in both countries.
Tanzania’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Selestine Kakele, stressed the economic significance of the new route, describing Nigeria as Africa’s second-largest economy and a vital partner for Tanzania.
He said the flights would deepen trade, investment, and cultural exchange between the two nations.
Air Tanzania’s CEO, Eng. Peter Ulanga, highlighted the airline’s ambition beyond passenger services.
While inviting Nigerians to explore iconic destinations such as Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, and Zanzibar’s beaches, he also revealed plans to expand cargo operations, with freighters capable of carrying 54 tons. This, he noted, could spur trade in goods like Nigerian yams and Tanzanian coffee.
“With Lagos now added to our 29-destination network across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia—including Johannesburg, Dubai, Mumbai, and Guangzhou—we are not just opening a route, we are opening opportunities,” Ulanga said.
The flights will operate three times weekly: Dar es Salaam to Lagos on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with return flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/09/air-tanzania-starts-lagos-dar-es-salaam-flights-govt-pledges-visa-reforms/
Image Credit: Voice of Nigeria
