Muscat: Muscat International Airport today received the first direct flight operated by Air Tanzania, connecting Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and Muscat International Airport in the Sultanate of Oman. Air Tanzania will operate three flights per week between Dar es Salaam and Muscat using Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
According to Oman News Agency, Muscat International Airport organized an official inauguration ceremony, attended by senior officials from Air Tanzania and Oman Airports, alongside a delegation from the Ministry of Transport of the United Republic of Tanzania. The reception ceremony for the maiden Air Tanzania flight was attended by Prof. Makame Mbarawa, Minister of Transport of the United Republic of Tanzania, and Eng. Khamis Mohammed Al Shamakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Transport, along with several senior officials from Air Tanzania and Oman Airports.
This direct route represents a major milestone in strengthening air connectivity between East Africa and the GCC, offering passengers a direct and comfortable flight between the two countries for the first time. It is expected to significantly reduce travel time, improve ease of mobility for tourism and business travelers, and open new horizons for trade, investment, and tourism exchange between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The announcement by Air Tanzania and Oman Airports regarding the launch of new direct flights came during the Tanzanian-Omani Tourism Promotional Forum and B2B Business Forum, held at the Diplomatic Club in Muscat.
The Sultanate of Oman and Tanzania share historical relations spanning centuries, embodied in maritime trade and cultural exchange across the Indian Ocean, the impact of which is clearly visible in Omani architectural heritage in Stone Town, Zanzibar. This new air route builds upon those historic ties, offering a modern gateway to foster cooperation and communication between both nations.
Eng. Peter Rudolph Ulanga, Chief Executive Officer of Air Tanzania, stated that launching this direct route between Dar es Salaam and Muscat marks a pivotal milestone in Air Tanzania's trajectory and in supporting its national tourism agenda. He noted that the route enhances connectivity between the peoples of both countries, the business sector, and visitors in an unprecedented manner, expressing his anticipation to welcome Omani visitors to the Serengeti, Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, and other tourist destinations.
Oman Airports welcomed the inauguration of Air Tanzania's direct flights between Muscat and Dar es Salaam, a new route that bridges distances between GCC countries and East Africa. This direct connection is set to reinforce the deeply rooted historical relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Republic of Tanzania, open new prospects in tourism, trade, investment, and bilateral exchange, and reaffirm Muscat International Airport's position as a regional gateway connecting two markets with promising potential.
Nasser Al Sharji, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Oman Airports, said that launching this direct route represents an important step toward enhancing air connectivity between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Republic of Tanzania, while providing more convenient travel options. He affirmed that this route will contribute to supporting tourism, facilitating trade and investment flow, and providing new opportunities for business and cultural exchange, highlighting Oman Airports' commitment to expanding its strategic partnership network and enabling seamless air connectivity to support the targets of Oman Vision 2040 and reinforce Muscat International Airport's standing as a leading regional gateway.
He added that as the Sultanate of Oman continues to expand its global network of connectivity, this route brings those ambitions to life on the ground.
During the first six months of 2026, Tanzania welcomed 29,306 visitors from the Sultanate of Oman, a figure both sides expect to grow significantly with the launch of direct flights. Overall, Tanzania received approximately 2.3 million international tourists during the same period, generating tourism revenues of nearly USD 4.4 billion, while aiming to attract 8 million international tourists annually by 2030. Enhancing air connectivity with the Gulf region, including the Sultanate of Oman, serves as one of the primary pillars for achieving this strategy.