Faith Nyasuguta
In a swift and strategic response to the European Union’s recent ban on Tanzanian-registered aircraft, the government of Tanzania has opened its airspace to more international airlines. This temporary move aims to safeguard the country’s vital tourism, trade, and business sectors from being severely disrupted.
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) confirmed the decision in a public statement, announcing that temporary traffic rights have been granted to select international airlines. The measure, effective for six months, is designed to maintain travel continuity and reassure both domestic and foreign stakeholders that Tanzania remains connected to the rest of the world.
“The decision was made to safeguard tourism, business continuity, and international mobility through various facilitative measures,” the TCAA stated.
Among the airlines granted extended operational privileges are Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar Airways, which will now offer additional routes to key Tanzanian destinations. These carriers, already established in the country, are expected to help absorb the impact of grounded local planes and ensure a smooth flow of passengers and cargo.
Importantly, the EU ban affects only aircraft registered in Tanzania. Foreign-registered airlines operating within the country are not impacted and continue to operate normally. The TCAA emphasized this distinction, reassuring travellers that the EU’s decision does not translate into a travel ban to or from Tanzania.
“Following the European Union’s announcement regarding the inclusion of some Tanzanian-registered carriers on the EU Air Safety List, the TCAA has undertaken several steps to maintain uninterrupted air travel,” the authority noted.
The aviation regulator urged travellers not to cancel their plans to visit Tanzania, reiterating the country’s commitment to international safety and regulatory standards. “Tanzania remains open and accessible,” the TCAA added. “The aviation sector continues to operate in accordance with global benchmarks.”
To further ease the fallout, the TCAA has introduced flexibility in regulations, allowing Tanzanian-registered airlines to enter codeshare agreements or secure block permits with international carriers. This allows local airlines to maintain a presence on regional and global routes even if their own aircraft cannot operate internationally for now.
Behind the scenes, Tanzania’s Ministry of Transport and the TCAA are in active dialogue with the European Union to address the safety issues raised. Their goal is to ultimately have Tanzanian-registered carriers removed from the EU Air Safety List.
“These temporary arrangements are designed to preserve business continuity, investor confidence, and service reliability during this period,” the aviation authority concluded.
Tanzania is not grounded, the nation is adjusting, opening new channels, and working to get its aircraft and reputation cleared for global skies once again.
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