Nigeria Clears Air Tanzania For Direct Flights As National Carrier Remains Grounded

The Nigerian government has presented the Foreign Carrier Operation Permit (FCOP) to Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), authorising the East African carrier to begin scheduled flights into and out of Nigeria. The presentation took place at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, represented by Ahmed Mohammed, said the permit was part of efforts to boost operational efficiency, safety, and bilateral collaboration between Nigeria and the United Republic of Tanzania.

Kana emphasised that the FCOP will help standardise aviation procedures, ensure seamless interactions, and align both nations’ operations with international best practices.

Director of Air Traffic Regulation at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Yinka Iriobe, confirmed that Nigeria is eager to see Air Tanzania commence operations, describing the nation as a fertile ground for aviation growth.

She disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding between both countries would be signed soon, mandating ATCL to upload passenger information into the NCAA’s AVITECH portal.

Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Selestine Kakele, hailed the move as a breakthrough in regional connectivity, stating that ATCL is ready to launch direct flights between Dar es Salaam and Lagos after passing key regulatory checks. The envoy also appealed for office space at Murtala Mohammed International Airport and residence permits for airline staff.

This collaboration between both countries signifies a gradual move from the historical reliance on European air corridors, a legacy of colonial aviation networks that centred around European capitals. The Lagos-Dar es Salaam route will boost economic growth, regional integration, and tourism.

Meanwhile, the milestone comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s own stalled national carrier project, Nigeria Air, which was launched under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration but turned out to be a massive fraud.

The current administration suspended the project indefinitely in 2023; however, no one has been held accountable, while the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika’s case on the fraudulent Nigeria Air project with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been tossed away.

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