Air Tanzania has launched its first direct flight from Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) Terminal 3 in Dar es Salaam to Accra, marking a major boost in air connectivity between East and West Africa.
The commencement of the service makes Air Tanzania the 26th international airline to operate at Kotoka International Airport, further strengthening Accra’s position as a key aviation hub in the sub-region.
Speaking at a ceremony in Accra yesterday, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Air Tanzania, Mr Peter Rudolph Ulanga, said the new route reflected the strong diplomatic, trade and cultural relations between Tanzania and Ghana.
He noted that the direct service would enhance travel convenience, widen passenger choice, and deepen economic and people-to-people ties. The route, which also links Dar es Salaam with Lagos, is expected to support increased trade, tourism and investment, while creating opportunities for business travellers, students and investors.
The Minister of Transport, Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, described the arrival of Air Tanzania as a significant step towards improving intra-African connectivity and addressing long-standing challenges such as limited direct air links and capacity constraints in the tourism sector.
He said the government continued to invest in aviation infrastructure to improve safety and efficiency, citing the introduction of advanced passenger information and passenger name record systems, which would reduce congestion at Terminal 3 through improved inter-terminal connectivity.
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described the new service as a practical expression of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) vision. She said shorter travel times would boost tourism, cultural exchange, trade and investment.
Mrs Gomashie noted that the Dar es Salaam–Lagos–Accra route would make it easier for East Africans to access Ghana’s cultural and historical sites, while enabling Ghanaians to travel more conveniently to destinations such as Mount Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. She encouraged businesses to take advantage of the new route and urged the airline to promote African culture through its onboard services and marketing.
Addressing passengers and crew on the maiden flight, she said the route symbolised Africa’s broader aspiration for unity and mobility, paying tribute to founding leaders including Kwame Nkrumah and Julius Nyerere.
The Minister of Transport of Tanzania, Mr Makame Mbarawa, described the route as a strategic link that would strengthen historical, cultural and economic relations with Ghana. He said the launch demonstrated Tanzania’s commitment to expanding Air Tanzania as a national carrier and advancing Africa’s integration agenda under the AfCFTA.
The Managing Director of Kotoka International Airport, Mrs Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, expressed appreciation to Air Tanzania for commencing commercial flight operations into Accra, describing the move as a major boost to regional aviation connectivity.
She reaffirmed Ghana Airports Company Limited’s support for the airline, expressed confidence in a fruitful partnership, and wished Air Tanzania continued success as it delivers safe, efficient and high-quality services on the new route.
By Raymond Appiah Amponsah & Nsami Hilda
Follow Ghanaian Times WhatsApp Channel today. https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
Trusted News. Real Stories. Anytime, Anywhere.
Join our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
The post Air Tanzania launches direct service to Accra appeared first on Ghanaian Times.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS