Air Tanzania introduces new flights to Lagos, Nigeria and Kinshasa in DR Congo, despite conflicts
Air Tanzania is introducing new direct flights between Dar-es-Salaam and Lagos City in Nigeria as well as Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Tanzania Times was told.
The Tanzanian national carrier (ATCL) announced the anticipated new international routes to DR Congo and Nigeria as well as one added local destination, which will see the airline landing at the Nduli Airport of Iringa in the country’s Southern Highlands.
Why Air Tanzania decided to announce direct flights to Kinshasa at the time when the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is steeped in conflicts is something which the airline management did not explain during their latest travel announcements.
The new routes to Kinshasa and Lagos come a few months after the Tanzanian flag carrier revived its direct flights between Dar-es-salaam and Johannesburg City of South Africa.
Air Tanzania; however is yet to reveal the dates when the new flights to DRC and Nigeria are expected to commence, though according to their statement this should be very soon. Prices and flight timetables will also be announced then.
But for the flights to Iringa, Air Tanzania stated that it will be sending planes from the 22nd of February 2025 with ticket pricing costing 393,000/- per fare.
Air Tanzania recently received approval from the Chinese aviation regulators to be transporting cargo using the ATCL freighter from Dar es Salaam to Guangzhou.
The recently acquired Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL)’s Boeing 767-300 Freighter to do the job, has a capacity of hauling a total of 54 tons of shipment and still be able to travel the skies for up to 10 hours without the need to refuel.
Late last year, the Airline started direct journeys between Dubai City in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Unguja Town of Zanzibar Islands.
At the moment, Air Tanzania flies directly into 26 destinations in a total of ten countries, from the airline’s hub at the Julius Kambarage Nyerere International Airport (JKIA) in Dar-es-salaam City.
But all is not glory for Air Tanzania because in 2024 the carrier was banned from flying into the European Union airspace and landing onto all EU destinations for security reasons.
The European Commission in the updated the EU Air Safety List, named airlines that are subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union, with Air Tanzania being included.
Despite being banned from flying into the European Union airspace, reportedly for security reasons, Tanzania’s National Airline reports to have transported more than one million passengers in the course of the year 2024.
Air Tanzania, according to an official report recently relayed through the airline’s official channel has so far recorded over 16,522 flights, carrying more than a million travellers as well as hauling more than 10,181 tons of cargo.