Air Tanzania Gets FCOP Approval for New Lagos-Dar Es Salaam Flight Route

• Air Tanzania Company Limited received the FCOP from the FG, enabling it to operate direct flights between Lagos and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
• The ceremony emphasised the importance of this initiative in strengthening Tanzania-Nigeria aviation cooperation and regional integration
• The High Commissioner of Tanzania, Selestine Gervas Kakele, also requested residence permits for ATCL employees and office space at Lagos’s MMIA

Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has 5-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market.

Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) has been granted the Foreign Carrier Operation Permit (FCOP) by the Federal Government. This move allows the airline to begin operating direct flights between Lagos, Nigeria, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

On Tuesday, the presentation ceremony was held at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development’s Abuja headquarters. Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, the Permanent Secretary, described the action as a strategic measure to enhance Tanzania-Nigeria aviation collaboration, safety, and operational efficiency.

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He clarified that the FCOP would help standardise processes, ensure smooth interactions, and align operations with global best practices. He was represented by Ahmed Tijani Mohammed.

“This initiative reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to strengthen regional integration and cooperation in West Africa and beyond,” he stated. He reassured Air Tanzania that Nigeria would provide support for its operations.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries will soon be signed at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja, according to Mrs. Yinka Babaoye Iriobe, Director of Air Traffic Regulation at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Under the MoU, ATCL will be required to enter all passenger data into the AVITECH site of the NCAA.

During the ceremony, Selestine Gervas Kakele, Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, praised Nigeria as "the gateway to prosperity for all African nations" and expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for its support.

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The planned flight link will improve regional connectivity, which has long been hindered by a lack of direct routes, he emphasised.

After completing essential NCAA requirements, such as a thorough base inspection in Tanzania, approval of its Local Security Operation Procedures (LSOP), and the issuance of a Document of Authorisation, Conditions, and Limitations (DACL), ATCL was granted the FCOP, according to the High Commissioner.

Additionally, he requested residence permits for the airline's employees and office space at Lagos’s Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

Aviation minister condemns release of indecent Video

Legit.ng reported that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has strongly condemned the public release of a video showing the indecent exposure of a female passenger during a disruptive incident aboard an Ibom Airline flight.

He described the dissemination of the footage as “totally unacceptable” and has ordered disciplinary action against the staff responsible.

The passenger, identified as Miss Comfort Emmanson, also known as Comfort Bob, allegedly assaulted both flight crew and ground staff during Ibom Airline Flight Q153 from Uyo to Lagos on 10 August 2025.

Source: Legit.ng