Watch as water cannon salute welcomes Air Tanzania to Accra

Air Tanzania, the national carrier of Tanzania, has officially launched its flight operations to Ghana with the introduction of the Dar es Salaam-Lagos-Accra route.

This new service was inaugurated at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and represents a significant enhancement in air connectivity between East and West Africa.

The inaugural flight arrived in Accra on January 29, 2026, and was celebrated with a traditional water cannon salute and a vibrant cultural display at the airport.

Air Tanzania will operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, offering new travel options for passengers and reinforcing connections among Ghana, Tanzania, and the broader African region.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, characterised the launch as a major milestone for Ghana’s aviation sector.

“With the introduction of this service, Air Tanzania becomes the 26th international airline to operate at Kotoka International Airport, a milestone we are proud to celebrate,” she said.

Opare explained that Air Tanzania’s entry into the Ghanaian market highlights the growing connectivity between the two nations, supported by strong ties of friendship, cooperation, and trade.

“This new route enhances travel convenience, expands passenger choices, and further solidifies Ghana’s position as a strategic aviation hub in the sub-region,” she added.

She noted that, beyond aviation, this route is expected to bolster trade, tourism, and overall economic collaboration, while also facilitating cultural exchanges and interactions between East and West Africa.

“This route is important for trade, tourism, and economic collaboration, while also promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges between East and West Africa. It opens new opportunities for business travelers, tourists, students, and investors to explore both regions,” Opare stated.

Highlighting tourism opportunities, she mentioned Tanzania’s acclaimed attractions, such as Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti National Park, Zanzibar, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area; and also pointed out Ghana’s rich tourism offerings, including the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, Mole and Kakum National Parks, and the country's extensive coastline of beaches.

“This flight operation serves as a vital bridge, bringing our peoples closer together and making travel between East and West Africa more seamless than ever before,” she remarked.

Opare assured Air Tanzania of GACL’s full support as the airline establishes and develops this route, expressing confidence in its dedication to maintaining high operational standards.

“We remain fully committed to supporting Air Tanzania and are confident that the airline will continue to uphold the highest standards of safety, reliability, and customer service, ensuring a pleasant and memorable experience for all passengers,” she stated.

The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Ghana’s Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe; Minister for Tourism, Dzifa Abla Gomashie; and the Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur.

The Tanzanian delegation was led by Tanzania’s Minister of Transport, Professor Makame Mbarawa, and His Excellency Selestine Gervais Kakele, the High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Airline representatives, industry stakeholders, and staff were also present at the event.

Watch the video below:

A beautiful moment of celebration unfolded at Kotoka International Airport as Tanzania's national carrier, Air Tanzania, officially launched its flight operations to Ghana.

The inaugural flight, which took place on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, was greeted with a symbolic water… pic.twitter.com/BrF0tHa3NH

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) January 29, 2026