The Federal Government has officially handed over the Foreign Carrier Operation Permit (FCOP) to Air Tanzania Company Limited at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development headquarters in Abuja.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Kana, represented by Ahmed Mohammed, said the move was aimed at boosting operational efficiency, safety, and cooperation between Nigeria and the United Republic of Tanzania in the aviation sector.
According to a statement sent to journalists, “The Federal Government has presented the Foreign Carrier Operation Permit to Air Tanzania Company Limited, at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development headquarters, Abuja.”
It noted that the FCOP would help standardise procedures, enabling seamless engagement and smooth operations between Nigerian and Tanzanian aviation stakeholders while adhering to global best practices.
“The presentation of FCOP to Air Tanzania Company Limited is a significant step in our efforts to promote aviation cooperation and excellence. We are confident that this initiative will yield positive outcomes for both nations,” Kana stated.
He added that the initiative was in line with the Tinubu administration’s drive to foster regional integration and collaboration in West Africa and beyond.
He assured Air Tanzania officials of Nigeria’s readiness to provide full operational support and urged them to liaise with all ministry agencies to meet their requirements.
Director of Air Traffic Regulation at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Yinka Iriobe, said Nigeria was eager to see Air Tanzania begin operations in the country, pointing out the nation’s vast potential to grow the aviation sector.
She revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding between both nations would be signed at NCAA’s Abuja headquarters.
The MoU, she said, would require ATCL to upload all passenger data into NCAA’s AVITECH portal, while the FCOP serves as the authorisation needed for the airline to begin flights in and out of Nigeria.
United Republic of Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Selestine Gervas Kakele, thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation, calling Nigeria “the gateway to prosperity for all African nations.”
He said, “The movement of people, goods, and services in Africa has suffered a huge setback due to a lack of regional connectivity, and this is why the two countries are coming together to establish a durable flight link.”
He further noted that ATCL was prepared to launch direct scheduled flights between Dar es Salaam and Lagos, having met NCAA’s regulatory requirements.
“NCAA has issued a Document of Authorization, Condition, and Limitation to Air Tanzania after conducting a rigorous base inspection in Tanzania,” he disclosed.
The envoy added that the airline had secured approval for its Local Security Operation Procedures and requested office space at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, as well as residence permits for its staff.
