Air Tanzania has launched the first direct link between Lagos and Dar es Salaam, opening a faster corridor between West and East Africa. The airline scheduled the route on 19 August 2025, and operated the inaugural departure from Dar es Salaam on 19 September 2025, touching down in Lagos the next morning, 20 September 2025. Nigerian authorities had cleared the service weeks earlier, paving the way for commencement.

The new service operates three times a week. Flights depart from Dar es Salaam on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with returns from Lagos on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Early schedules indicate a late evening departure from Dar es Salaam and an overnight arrival in Lagos, allowing for connections onward within Tanzania on the same day.

Air Tanzania’s CEO announced expanded cargo operations and invited Nigerians to explore Tanzania’s top attractions, while connecting Lagos to 29 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia

For travellers, the gains are immediate. A single flight now puts travellers in Dar es Salaam’s coastal capital without the usual detours through other hubs. From there, connections to Zanzibar’s UNESCO-listed Stone Town and the beaches of the archipelago, to Kilimanjaro for summit attempts, and to the safari circuits of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, become more straightforward and quicker. Opening week ceremonies in Lagos underscored the route’s role in tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.

Business travellers also stand to benefit. A direct sector of about six hours can replace one-stop journeys that consume most of a day, a practical win for executives, investors, and cargo shippers eyeing new opportunities between the two economies. The airline is fielding a Boeing 737 MAX 9 on the route, aligning capacity with an expected rise in demand.

Officials from both countries have framed the launch as a step toward a more connected continent, with Nigerian aviation authorities and Tanzania’s transport leadership spotlighting the economic dividends and alignment with broader African air liberalisation goals. The first week’s events in Lagos captured that ambition, but the real test will be consistent and reliable operations that maintain fares within a competitive range.

Planning a trip is now straightforward. Afari Travels and Tours can secure your seats on the new non-stop, evisas, arrange smooth airport transfers, and create flexible itineraries that seamlessly integrate Dar es Salaam’s culture with time in Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, and the northern safari circuit. With the route live, travelling from Nigeria to Tanzania has gone from a multi-stop puzzle to single-ticket simplicity. Bookings and tailored packages are available on request.

Watch out for Tanzania holiday packages covering Zanzibar, Dar es Salem and other parts of the East African jewel. Keep an eye out for upcoming Tanzania holiday packages! These will include stunning destinations like Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, and other incredible locations across this East African gem.