On 13 August 2025, Nigeria officially granted a Foreign Carrier Operation Permit (FCOP) to Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), green-lighting all-important nonstop service between Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Lagos, Nigeria. The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in Abuja, marked a historic moment—a milestone that solidifies air-connectivity between East and West Africa, while setting the stage for stronger trade, tourism, and regional collaboration.
The path to this achievement wasn’t accidental. Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) conducted thorough base inspections in Tanzania, and also cleared ATCL’s Local Security Operations Procedures—critical requirements for safe and secure operations. With these in place, ATCL received the FCOP and is now legally empowered to run the direct route.
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What This New Route with Air Tanzania Means for Businesses, Travellers, and Cargo
This development is not simply a new flight schedule—it represents a leap forward in regional integration. Business communities in both countries now have a smoother corridor for fast-moving transactions, face-to-face engagements, and cultural exchange. The direct gate-to-gate flight between Dar and Lagos is projected to take around six hours, thanks to the approximately 4,100 km distance and the capabilities of modern aircraft like the Airbus A220-300 or Boeing 737 that ATCL uses.
Comparatively, existing one-stop routes via Nairobi, Addis Ababa, or Kigali—which currently connect travellers between the two cities—can stretch as long as 8 to 10 hours, depending on layovers. That difference is more than just minutes saved; it’s a significant improvement in convenience, efficiency, and competitiveness.
On the cargo front, potential is immense. Estimates suggest that if ATCL deploys an Airbus A220-300 for four weekly one-way flights, the annual belly cargo capacity could reach up to 700 tonnes—assuming a typical 3 to 4 tonnes of cargo per flight. This opens fresh opportunities for exporters and importers who need swift, direct air logistics between East and West Africa.
Streamlining Operations: Visas, MOU, and Infrastructure in Lagos
Behind the scenes, several logistical gears are turning fast to make this route a reality. ATCL is busy arranging office space at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and securing residence permits for crew and support staff—essentials for consistent operations.
Another key piece is an upcoming bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) scheduled to be signed at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja. Once in place, this MoU will make ATCL formally integrate passenger data into Nigeria’s AVITECH portal, helping to meet regulatory and safety standards.
It’s also important to note that Nigerian citizens require a Referral Visa for travel to Tanzania—they cannot obtain one on arrival. This means advance planning is essential for travellers, both leisure and business
A Gateway to Continental Integration, Tourism, and Trade
This direct air link between Lagos and Dar es Salaam is more than just bilateral—it’s a connector for entire regions. Serving as a new East–West African corridor, the service brings the continents closer together, enabling faster, more flexible movement of people, goods, ideas, and opportunities.
With Zanzibar gaining popularity among tourists—see its international arrivals exceeding 736,000 in 2024, reflecting a 15.4% year-on-year growth—the new flight offers Nigeria’s holiday-makers easier access to East African coastal getaways.
Moreover, the link aligns well with economic frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)—pushing the envelope on Intra-African trade. Convenient direct flights reduce transaction costs, open up time for face-to-face negotiations, and boost inter-regional collaboration between two of Africa’s largest economies.
As Nigeria continues expanding its aviation network—already hosting carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, RwandAir, and Uganda Airlines, alongside non-African carriers like EgyptAir and South African Airways—this move reaffirms the country’s role as a pivotal hub for continental connectivity.
Conclusion
This is a pivotal moment: Nigeria clearing Air Tanzania for the Dar es Salaam–Lagos route is more than a permit—it’s a signal of Africa’s rising interconnectedness. Faster travel, enhanced cargo capacity, deepening regional cooperation, and new tourism avenues are all going live. With preparation underway—office setups in Lagos, staff residency, MoU signing, and data integration via AVITECH—these flights could well be taking off sooner than expected.
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