British Airways to Resume Tanzania Flights With New London-Kilimanjaro-Zanzibar Route

British Airways will return to Tanzania in May 2027 with a new seasonal service linking London Gatwick with Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, restoring the airline’s direct connection with the country after more than a decade.

The United Kingdom’s flag carrier announced the new route as part of its expanded summer 2027 long-haul schedule. Flights will operate three times a week from London Gatwick, travelling first to Kilimanjaro International Airport before continuing to Zanzibar. The service is scheduled to begin on May 29, 2027, and operate through October 31.

The announcement marks British Airways’ return to Tanzania following the end of its previous London-Dar es Salaam service more than a decade ago.

New Link to Tanzania's Tourism Circuit

The new service is expected to provide travellers from the United Kingdom with a direct connection to Tanzania’s northern tourism circuit, including the Kilimanjaro region and some of the country's best-known wildlife destinations.

Kilimanjaro International Airport serves as a major gateway to northern Tanzania and the safari circuit that includes the Serengeti. The region attracts visitors from around the world for wildlife experiences, including the annual Great Migration.

The route will also connect travellers to Zanzibar, an Indian Ocean destination known for its beaches, marine life and historic and cultural attractions.

By combining Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar on the same service, the route will offer travellers the opportunity to pair a northern Tanzania safari with a coastal holiday.

British Airways Expands African Network

The Tanzania announcement forms part of a wider expansion of British Airways' long-haul network for summer 2027.

The airline is also increasing capacity on its London-Cape Town service, with additional flights planned from next March. The expansion is part of a broader effort to increase services across several international markets.

For Tanzania, the return of British Airways provides another direct air link with the United Kingdom, one of the country's important international tourism markets.

Boost for Tourism and Travel

The new route comes as Tanzania continues to develop its tourism sector and attract international visitors to its safari destinations, mountains and coastal resorts.

Kilimanjaro is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, while the surrounding northern circuit provides access to destinations including the Serengeti and other major wildlife areas.

Zanzibar, meanwhile, offers a different tourism experience, combining beaches and marine attractions with a distinctive cultural heritage shaped by centuries of trade across the Indian Ocean.

With flights scheduled three times a week, the new British Airways service will provide travellers with another option for reaching both Tanzania's northern safari circuit and Zanzibar.

The route is scheduled to commence on May 29, 2027, with services operating through the end of October as part of British Airways' summer schedule.