Air Tanzania plans to launch Gatwick flights to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar

Air Tanzania has unveiled plans to start direct flights from Gatwick to Kilimanjaro International Airport and Zanzibar in July 2027.

Peter Ulanga, chief executive of the national carrier, said Air Tanzania will schedule a minimum of three flights per week catering to tourists – expected to be the main driver of sales – as well as the business and friends-and-family markets.

Currently, the airline serves 13 domestic airports and offers 11 international routes, in Africa plus China, the Comores, India, Seychelles and United Arab Emirates.

Ulanga will visit the UK this autumn to hold discussions with travel trade professionals “to listen to their needs and requirements”.  

Mbelwa Kairuki, high commissioner to the UK for Tanzania and Zanzibar, commented: “It has been one of my biggest and most passionate ambitions during my assignment to the UK to see the introduction of a direct flight to my country.”

Air Tanzania said in March it will acquire eight new aircraft over the next five years, “marking one of the most substantial fleet expansion programmes currently underway among East African airlines”.