By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
In a statement issued by Nwagwu Daniel C.,
PIO, for the Head, Press and Public Affairs, the Federal Government has presented the Foreign Carrier Operation Permit (FCOP) to Air Tanzania Company Limited at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development headquarters, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, represented by Mr. Ahmed Tijani Mohammed, said the initiative aims to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and collaboration between Nigeria and the United Republic of Tanzania in the aviation sector.
The Permanent Secretary said the FCOP will standardize procedures, ensuring seamless interactions and efficient operations between Nigerian and Tanzanian aviation stakeholders, while aligning with international best practices.
“The presentation of the 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.”
He stated that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government’s efforts to promote regional integration and cooperation in West Africa and beyond.
Dr. Kana assured the Air Tanzania officials of Nigeria’s readiness to provide all they need to operate and instructed them to liaise with all the agencies in the ministry to meet their requirements.
The Director, Air Traffic Regulation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mrs. Yinka Babaoye Iriobe, stated that Nigeria is looking forward to seeing Air Tanzania commence operations in Nigeria and assured them that the country has a lot of potential to make the aviation industry thrive. She said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries would be signed at the NCAA headquarters, Abuja.
Mrs. Yinka stated that the MoU will mandate ATCL to upload all flown passengers’ information into the NCAA AVITECH portal, and that the FCOP is the authorization needed by ATCL to commence operations into and out of Nigeria.
Earlier, the United Republic of Tanzania High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Selestine Gervas Kakele, thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation and readiness to collaborate with Tanzania, stating that Nigeria is the gateway to prosperity for all African nations.
“The movement of people, goods, and services in Africa has suffered huge setbacks due to the lack of regional connectivity, and this is why the two countries are coming together to establish a durable flight link.”
He emphasized that ATCL is poised to commence scheduled direct flights between Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Lagos, Nigeria, following the successful completion of key regulatory requirements by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“The NCAA has issued a Document of Authorization, Conditions, and Limitations (DACL) to Air Tanzania after conducting a rigorous base inspection in Tanzania.”
He further added that the airline has secured approval for its Local Security Operating Procedures (LSOP) and appealed for office space at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and residence permits for the airline staff.
The event was attended by directors in the ministry, representatives of the agencies, and Edward Nkwabi, Ground Handling Manager, Air Tanzania, and Modester Mwanjala, Project Coordinator, Air Tanzania.
