The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has officially granted Air Tanzania a Validated Foreign Air Operator Certificate (VFAOC), clearing the way for the airline to begin commercial operations between Dar es Salaam and Accra.
In addition to the VFAOC, Air Tanzania also received an Authorisation Certificate for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, enabling the airline to handle and transport regulated items in compliance with international aviation safety standards.
The certificates were presented during a ceremony held on October 14, 2025, at the GCAA Headquarters, Kotoka International Airport, by Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur, Acting Director-General of the GCAA.
The Air Tanzania delegation was led by His Excellency Selestine Kakele, High Commissioner-Designate of Tanzania to Ghana, resident in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Validated Foreign Air Operator Certificate authorizes foreign carriers to conduct commercial air transport within Ghana’s airspace, ensuring the airline meets both Ghanaian and international safety standards.
Rev. Arthur expressed enthusiasm about Air Tanzania’s entry into Ghana’s aviation sector, highlighting its alignment with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision to boost intra-African air connectivity.
He also reiterated the government’s broader aviation strategy, which includes: transforming Ho Airport into a premier aviation training hub for pilots, cabin crew, and aviation professionals.
He further noted that this development supports the goals of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a flagship initiative under the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks to liberalize African skies, enhance regional integration, and drive trade and tourism across the continent.
Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. Selestine Kakele emphasized that Air Tanzania’s new route to Accra is a reflection of the strong, historic relationship between Ghana and Tanzania, two nations united by shared liberation histories, economic cooperation, and a deep-rooted commitment to Pan-Africanism.
“This air link is more than a transportation milestone; it’s an opportunity to further strengthen our strategic and cultural ties while promoting continental unity,” he said.
