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By Newz.Africa Business Desk | Accra, Ghana | 26 January 2026 | Air Tanzania flights Kotoka International Airport.
Air Tanzania will start scheduled commercial flights at Kotoka International Airport on 28 January 2026. The Ghana Airports Company Limited confirmed the development. The airline now becomes the 26th international carrier operating at Ghana’s main aviation hub.
The new service will run three times a week. Flights will travel on the Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Accra, Dar es Salaam route. Arrivals in Accra are set for 5pm. Departures are scheduled for 6pm. These consistent timings are designed to support simple transfers, predictable connections and easier trade mobility.
Growing Accra’s status as a regional aviation hub
GACL noted that all regulatory checks and operational preparations have been completed. The company stated that Air Tanzania’s entry is part of ongoing efforts. These efforts aim to expand international airline activity at Kotoka International Airport. It said the airport is positioning itself as a central access point for West Africa.
A major driver behind this strategy is the steady rise in carriers connecting Accra to East Africa. Rwanda, Kenya and Ethiopia have been upgrading their regional networks in recent years. Air Tanzania’s arrival builds on that momentum. Analysts say the addition of a Tanzanian national carrier strengthens the web of routes. It links East Africa to West Africa. This allows travellers to avoid longer transits through Johannesburg, Addis Ababa or Nairobi. It also gives business travellers and cargo operators shorter and more direct movement across the continent.
Benefits for trade, tourism and business travel
Stakeholders in both Ghana and Tanzania view the new service as an important step in strengthening cross continental ties. Trade officials note that Tanzania and Ghana share a long-standing history of Pan African cooperation. New direct flights create new pathways for tourism flows and cross border business. It also supports easier access for small enterprises that depend on smooth import and export channels. Aviation analysts suggest that a reliable East to West Africa connection can help improve cargo turnaround time. This appeals to traders in perishable goods, textiles, artisanal products and light manufacturing.
Tourism bodies in both countries have also highlighted the expected benefits. Many travellers exploring coastal heritage routes in Ghana can now link to wildlife destinations in Tanzania. Likewise, Tanzanian travellers wanting to experience Ghana’s cultural festivals enjoy shorter travel. Accessibility influences traveller behaviour and supports a deeper Africa to Africa tourism market.
Operational readiness and regulatory background
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority issued a Validated Foreign Air Operator Certificate to Air Tanzania in October 2025. This authorisation cleared the path for the airline to start scheduled activity within Ghanaian airspace. The certification process ensures both safety compliance and operational readiness. It also confirms that the airline meets local and international aviation standards.
After this approval, the airline concluded final arrangements with GACL. Both parties confirmed that all checks have been completed. This includes crew handling coordination, slot allocations, plane turnaround procedures and ground operations. The airport expects a seamless introduction to passenger handling on launch day.
A strategic move for Air Tanzania
Air Tanzania has been expanding its regional footprint. It aims to reestablish itself as a competitive carrier connecting key African markets. The Accra link is part of a bigger vision that includes expanding into West African cities with strong commercial influence. Executives believe the Ghana route will support better brand presence across the continent. This is important for future expansion into Central Africa and possible long term links to North Africa. Aviation experts expect the airline to deploy either its Airbus A220 or Boeing 787 for the route depending on demand.
The airline sees the Ghana market as a gateway into Francophone West Africa. Accra plays an important bridging role because of its infrastructure, stable safety record and growing business climate. The partnership between the Tanzanian carrier and GACL reflects shared ambitions for better continental mobility.
Why this matters for the continent
Newz.Africa tracks the way African airlines shape continental movement. The Air Tanzania expansion at KIA reflects a broader shift. African states are strengthening both business travel and tourism by building better intra African flight options. Air Tanzania joins other regional carriers expanding routes that support Africa to Africa travel. This reduces reliance on European or Middle Eastern hubs. It also lowers travel time, supports affordability and builds resilience within the African aviation ecosystem.
This launch signals growing confidence in West Africa’s aviation sector. Ghana’s aviation authorities continue to welcome new carriers. Each introduction strengthens Accra’s hub potential. It improves the flow of people, goods and services within the continent.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
Confirmed:
Launch date, flight schedule, 26th airline status, route pattern, certification background.
Who was contacted:
GACL media desk
Air Tanzania corporate communications
Primary artefacts:
Official GACL announcement
GCAA operator certification history
Airline flight schedule detail
SOURCES:
- GhanaWeb Aviation report.
- The Herald Ghana aviation release.
- Kumasi City update on regulatory completion.
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