In addition to the operational licence, the GCAA also issued Air Tanzania an Authorisation Certificate for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, certifying the airline’s compliance with international standards for the safe handling and carriage of hazardous materials by air.
The certificates were formally presented by the Acting Director-General of the GCAA, Rev. Stephen Wilfred Arthur, to a delegation from Air Tanzania during a ceremony held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Authority’s headquarters at Kotoka International Airport, Accra.
The Tanzanian delegation was led by His Excellency Selestine Kakele, High Commissioner-Designate of Tanzania to Ghana, who is based in Abuja, Nigeria.
A Validated Foreign Air Operator Certificate (VFAOC) serves as official approval from a host country’s aviation regulator, confirming that a foreign airline meets its safety and regulatory requirements in addition to those of its home state.
Speaking at the presentation, Rev. Arthur commended Air Tanzania’s entry into Ghana’s aviation market, describing it as a welcome development that aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of expanding air connectivity across West and East Africa. He also noted that the Ghanaian government is intensifying efforts to revive a national carrier and develop Ho Airport into a premier training centre for aviation professionals.
He further stressed that Air Tanzania’s operation in Ghana supports the objectives of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), one of the African Union’s flagship initiatives under Agenda 2063. SAATM aims to create a single liberalised air transport market on the continent, facilitating greater connectivity, trade, and tourism among African nations.
In his remarks, High Commissioner Kakele said the launch of Air Tanzania’s Accra route reflects the enduring friendship between Ghana and Tanzania—two nations bound by shared independence struggles, economic cooperation, and a common vision of Pan-African unity.
He added that the new route would not only deepen bilateral relations but also serve as a vital bridge for enhancing regional integration and promoting intra-African air travel.
With the new certification, Air Tanzania is set to join a growing list of African carriers expanding their regional footprint under the SAATM framework, signalling stronger cooperation and a renewed drive toward a more connected African aviation landscape.