Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has held discussions with officials from the Zanzibar Ministry of Works and Transport on the key steps required to establish a national airline for the Isles.
The engagement took place on January 20, 2026, at TCAA headquarters, where the authority, led by Acting Director General Daniel Malanga, received a delegation from the Zanzibar government on a working visit aimed at gaining practical guidance on airline formation.
Opening the discussions, Mr Malanga outlined the critical stages involved in setting up an airline, stressing the need for strict adherence to national laws and aviation regulations.
He noted that the process begins with a formal licence application supported by a comprehensive business plan, alongside compliance with economic regulatory requirements and other procedures governing the aviation sector.
TCAA technical experts further elaborated on the specific conditions for establishing an airline, including the acquisition of the necessary licences and certification before operations can commence.
For his part, the Permanent Secretary in the Zanzibar Ministry of Works and Transport, Mr Ali Said Bakari, said the visit was intended to equip the delegation with hands-on experience and technical knowledge ahead of the planned establishment of a Zanzibar airline.
He added that the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, under the leadership of President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, is in the advanced stages of preparing to launch the airline and is keen to fully understand the regulatory framework, operational standards and management requirements to ensure the venture is implemented effectively.
Members of the Zanzibar delegation said the proposed airline is expected to ease air travel, particularly for tourists travelling to and from Zanzibar, while supporting broader economic growth through aviation, tourism and the Blue Economy.
The visit concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to continued cooperation to ensure the airline’s establishment process is conducted in line with the law, established procedures and the wider national interest.
