Muscat – Muscat International Airport welcomed the inaugural direct flight from Dar es Salaam on Sunday as Air Tanzania launched its first scheduled service to Oman, marking a new chapter in air connectivity between East Africa and the Gulf.

The airline will operate three weekly flights between Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and Muscat International Airport using Airbus A220 aircraft.

An inauguration ceremony was attended by Makame Mbarawa, Tanzania’s Minister of Transport; H E Khamis bin Mohammed Al Shamakhi, Undersecretary for Transport at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology; senior officials from Air Tanzania and Oman Airports; and a Tanzanian government delegation.

The new route provides the first direct air link between Oman and Tanzania, reducing travel time and improving access for tourists, business travellers and investors. It is also expected to strengthen trade, tourism and investment between the two countries.

The launch was announced during the Tanzania-Oman Tourism Promotion Forum and Business-to-Business Forum, held at the Diplomatic Club in Muscat. Oman and Tanzania share centuries-old historical ties through Indian Ocean trade and cultural exchange, particularly with Zanzibar, where Omani influence remains visible in the architecture of Stone Town. The new air service is expected to build on those links while creating new opportunities for economic cooperation.

Peter Rudolph Olomi, CEO of Air Tanzania, described the route as a milestone for the airline and Tanzania’s tourism sector.

He said the direct connection would strengthen links between the people and business communities of both countries while making it easier for Omani travellers to visit destinations such as Serengeti National Park, Zanzibar and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Nasser Al Sharji, Acting CEO of Oman Airports, said the service represents an important step in expanding Oman’s international air network and reinforcing Muscat International Airport’s role as a regional gateway.

He said the route would provide more convenient travel options while supporting tourism, trade, investment and cultural exchange in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.

The new service comes as travel between the two countries continues to grow. During the first six months of 2026, Tanzania welcomed 29,306 visitors from Oman.