Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), the national airline of Tanzania, has entered the Ghanaian market as part of efforts to boost tourism, trade and create new economic opportunities for both countries.
After a successful maiden flight to Accra from the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam, via Lagos, Nigeria, the airline pledged to sustain the new route, which is expected to serve as an alternative direct connection between West and East Africa.
The airline, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft which touched down at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) at 5 p.m., last Wednesday (January 28), was welcomed with a water cannon salute and a cultural display.
The airline is expected to operate three times a week flights — on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The airline was received at the airport by Ghanaian officials, including the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe; the Minister of Tourism, Dzifa Abla Gomashie; the Managing Director (MD) of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, and the Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur.
The Tanzanian delegation was led by its Minister of Transport, Professor Makame Mbarawa; the High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Selestine Gervais Kakele, and other officials.
Strategic bridge
Prof. Mbarawa stated that the new route represented more than a transportation link, because it was a strategic bridge that would enhance mobility while strengthening the historical, cultural and economic ties between Tanzania and Ghana.
He explained that the direct air connection between Dar es Salaam and Accra was expected to stimulate tourism, boost trade and investment, and create new economic opportunities for both countries.
The minister stressed that Ghana remained a key strategic partner, citing its stability and position as a major commercial, financial and logistics hub in West Africa.
By opening the route, he said Tanzania was positioning Air Tanzania as a stronger connector between East and West Africa.
He added that the launch demonstrated the government’s commitment to strengthening Air Tanzania as a strategic national asset and advancing the vision of one Africa, one market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Historic moment
For his part, Mr Kakele said the commencement of the route signalled the beginning of greater opportunities between the two countries and across the continent.
He stressed the need for African governments to fast-track efforts toward a borderless Africa, where people and goods must be able to move freely without restrictions to accelerate the implementation of the AfCFTA.
Gateway
Mr Nikpe congratulated Air Tanzania for taking what he described as a bold step towards improving connectivity across the African continent.
He stressed that travel within Africa had long been more difficult than journeys outside the continent.
He said the commencement of flights from Dar es Salaam to Accra and Lagos would help ease movement, promote trade and tourism, and strengthen ties among African countries.
The minister explained that Ghana was deliberately positioning itself as a gateway to West Africa through continuous investments in aviation infrastructure, including the introduction of advanced passenger information and record systems to enhance safety and efficiency.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh