Air Tanzania has officially inaugurated direct flight services between Dar es Salaam and Accra, marking a significant expansion of connectivity between East and West Africa as Ghana prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The maiden flight touched down at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on Wednesday evening to a traditional water salute and ceremony attended by transport ministers from both nations.
Tanzania’s Transport Minister, Professor Makame Mbarawa, said the new service represents a historic milestone for Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), which had struggled for more than a decade before beginning its recent expansion. Speaking at the launch ceremony at Julius Nyerere International Airport before departure, he emphasized that the route would facilitate preparations for AFCON 2027, boost economic ties and ease travel between the two regions.
It is historic. For 10 to 15 years, the airline was in a difficult state, and now we are starting to reach West Africa. Previously, travelers and Tanzanians needing to go to Accra had to fly via the Arab Emirates or Turkey before returning to West Africa, Professor Mbarawa told journalists in Dar es Salaam.
The airline will operate the Dar es Salaam to Lagos to Accra to Dar es Salaam route three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Flights are scheduled to arrive in Accra at 5:00 in the evening and depart at 6:00 in the evening local time, according to Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL).
Ghana’s Transport Minister, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, highlighted the importance of borderless connectivity across Africa during the arrival ceremony. Today marks another milestone for us, seeing our own from Africa helping to connect our people, helping to make travel easy for our people, he said. It gives pleasure that Air Tanzania has taken this step to commence its flight from Dar es Salaam to Accra and Lagos. It is our hope and belief that this will improve connectivity and create that atmosphere and further promote trade and tourism within ourselves.
Air Tanzania Chief Executive Officer Peter Ulanga said the new service increases the airline’s destinations to 32, strengthening its competitiveness in the global aviation market. The expansion comes after the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) granted Air Tanzania a Validated Foreign Air Operator Certificate (VFAOC) in October 2025, authorizing the airline to conduct commercial air transport within Ghana’s airspace.
GACL welcomed Air Tanzania as the 26th international airline operating at Kotoka International Airport. Upon successful completion of all arrangements, Ghana Airports Company Limited is excited to welcome Air Tanzania to operate from Kotoka International Airport as the 26th international airline. We look forward to the seamless facilitation of our cherished passengers, a statement from the airport operator said.
Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, attended the ceremony and emphasized the need for the two countries to build strong tourism ties. This contributes to the game changer in the culture and tourism ecosystem. We are now open for a direct pipeline for Tanzania and East Africans in general to experience the akwaba spirit, she noted.
The new route is expected to significantly reduce travel time and costs for passengers moving between East and West Africa. Previously, travelers on this route typically connected through Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai or Istanbul, or through East African cities like Nairobi, with journey times often exceeding 11 hours. The direct service promises to streamline travel for business executives, tourists and government officials.
Air Tanzania’s expansion into West Africa aligns with broader efforts to enhance intra-African connectivity under frameworks including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). These initiatives aim to boost trade, tourism and cultural exchanges across the continent by reducing travel barriers and improving aviation links.
The airline has undergone a massive revitalization program beginning in 2016, transforming from a struggling carrier to a rapidly expanding regional player. The turnaround included fleet modernization, route expansion and improved service standards. Air Tanzania now operates to 14 domestic and 18 international destinations across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
For Ghana, the new route arrives at a strategic time as the country prepares to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027 alongside Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The tournament is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the continent and beyond, creating significant demand for air connectivity. Transport officials believe the Air Tanzania service will facilitate smoother movement of football fans, officials and media between the host nations.
The route also opens new tourism opportunities. Ghanaian travelers will gain easier access to Tanzania’s renowned attractions including the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and the beaches of Zanzibar. Meanwhile, Tanzanian and East African visitors can more easily explore Ghana’s historical sites such as Cape Coast Castle, the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, as well as the vibrant cultural scene in Accra.
Business communities in both countries have welcomed the development. Direct flights are expected to facilitate increased trade, investment flows and corporate travel between Ghana and Tanzania. Both economies have experienced notable growth in recent years, with Ghana emerging as a major West African business hub and Dar es Salaam solidifying its role as a key logistics gateway in East Africa.
Aviation analysts note that the route represents a shift toward greater reliance on African airlines for intra-continental travel, reducing dependence on European and Middle Eastern carriers that have historically dominated connections between different African regions. This trend aligns with pan-African visions of economic integration and self-reliance in the aviation sector.
Air Tanzania’s operation in Ghana brings the carrier’s global footprint to 32 countries, a remarkable achievement for an airline that underwent significant restructuring less than a decade ago. The airline has committed to providing safe, efficient and affordable air transport services as it positions itself as a world class airline of choice for connecting Africa.
