Tanzania Leads The Charge For East African Connectivity As Air Tanzania Launches Direct Flights To Somalia, Ushering In A New Era Of Travel, Trade, And Regional Integration

Published on July 2, 2025

Somalia and Tanzania Set to Launch Direct Flights Between Mogadishu and Dar es Salaam, Boosting Regional Travel and Economic Ties

In a powerful stride toward fostering regional integration, Somalia and Tanzania have reached a landmark agreement to launch direct commercial flights between Mogadishu and Dar es Salaam. This strategic move marks a turning point in East African aviation and diplomacy, as the two nations work to enhance connectivity, strengthen bilateral relations, and promote regional prosperity.

The official announcement followed a high-level aviation meeting hosted in Dar es Salaam, where technical teams from both countries finalized the operational details. The agreement was ceremoniously endorsed by Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalan Abdi Ali and Tanzania’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo. Their presence underscored the significance of the deal and the mutual commitment to deepening ties through sustainable, people-focused development.

Air Tanzania to Operate New Direct Route
As part of the agreement, Air Tanzania will soon begin scheduled non-stop flights between Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport and Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. This long-anticipated air link is expected to dramatically reduce travel time between the two capital cities, eliminating the need for time-consuming connections through third countries. For Somali and Tanzanian travelers, businesspeople, students, and families with transnational ties, the direct route is a game-changer.

Air Tanzania’s decision to operate the route reflects the national carrier’s expanding ambition to connect more African cities while supporting intra-continental trade and tourism. The route will also serve as a critical logistical corridor for goods, services, and business engagements between the Horn of Africa and Southern Africa.

Reviving and Updating a 1975 Bilateral Agreement
In addition to the flight route, both governments pledged to modernize their longstanding Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), originally signed in 1975. The refreshed agreement aims to align the aviation cooperation framework with current international safety, security, and regulatory standards. The renewed BASA will focus on enhanced operational transparency, reciprocal market access, and improved passenger protections.

By bringing the BASA in line with today’s global aviation norms, Somalia and Tanzania are ensuring that the new route is not only viable but sustainable and resilient in the long term. This legal foundation also opens the door for future partnerships between other carriers, code-sharing opportunities, and broader aviation cooperation.

A Boost for Trade, Tourism, and Integration
The direct flights are expected to deliver strong economic benefits on both sides. Tanzania’s tourism and export sectors stand to gain significantly by tapping into a new market of Somali travelers and traders. Somalia, on the other hand, will benefit from easier access to Tanzanian products, services, and educational institutions.

Additionally, Somalia’s diaspora—many of whom travel frequently between East African countries—will find the new air link a convenient alternative to previous complex routing. This direct route will also encourage new investments, as businesses explore opportunities in each other’s markets with less logistical friction.

Tourism boards from both nations are expected to roll out coordinated campaigns to promote cultural, heritage, and coastal tourism, capitalizing on increased people-to-people exchanges. Tanzania’s breathtaking national parks and Zanzibar’s beaches may soon see an uptick in Somali visitors, while Tanzanian tourists may find new interest in Somalia’s coastal destinations like Mogadishu, Kismayo, and Bosaso.

A Milestone in East African Cooperation
This development goes beyond mere air travel. It is emblematic of a larger political and economic strategy by East African nations to integrate through shared infrastructure, mutual interests, and diplomatic goodwill.

Somalia’s increasing engagement in regional cooperation—especially through aviation and trade—signals its growing stability and emergence from decades of isolation. Tanzania, with its strong aviation sector and established diplomatic ties, offers a model of cooperation and connectivity that aligns with Somalia’s aspirations.

Foreign Minister Abdisalan Abdi Ali noted during the signing that this initiative represents “a new era in East African unity.” His Tanzanian counterpart, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, echoed this sentiment, calling the agreement “a people-driven success story with long-term impact for generations to come.”

Next Steps: Implementation and Future Expansion
The immediate priority now shifts to the operationalization of the route. Airport authorities, immigration, and customs officials in both countries are working to ensure a smooth rollout. Air Tanzania has already initiated logistical preparations, including fleet assignments, ticketing, and route scheduling.

Looking forward, the route between Dar es Salaam and Mogadishu may become part of a broader network of East African air corridors. Both governments hinted at potential future links involving other major cities such as Zanzibar, Arusha, and Hargeisa. These expansions would further entrench aviation as a key pillar in regional development strategies.

Moreover, training and technical assistance exchanges between the civil aviation authorities of both countries are likely to follow. This capacity-building component would help enhance safety, efficiency, and cross-border coordination in aviation oversight.

Conclusion
The launch of direct flights between Somalia and Tanzania marks a new chapter in regional connectivity and cooperation. What began as a technical aviation discussion has evolved into a broader symbol of unity and progress. With Air Tanzania preparing to take off on this route, the skies between Mogadishu and Dar es Salaam are opening not just to aircraft—but to a future of shared opportunity, economic growth, and deeper understanding.

This initiative stands as a beacon of what African collaboration can achieve—cutting distances, connecting lives, and laying the groundwork for a more integrated continent.