Why British Airways is returning to Tanzania’s airspace

DAR ES SALAAM: British Airways’ decision to resume flights to Tanzania after an absence of approximately 13 years, with services to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, reflects a combination of favourable developments, including improvements in the country’s business environment, sustained growth in tourism and rising demand for travel to the East African nation.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily News following the airline’s announcement, Tanzania’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mbelwa Kairuki, highlighted President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s pivotal role in raising Tanzania’s international profile as a tourism and investment destination, particularly through The Royal Tour film and other global promotional initiatives.

Kairuki said these efforts had contributed to increased international awareness of Tanzania and helped attract growing numbers of visitors, strengthening the commercial case for British Airways to return to the Tanzanian market.

“The sustained growth in tourist arrivals, coupled with improvements in the business environment and Tanzania’s increasing international visibility, has created a stronger commercial proposition for international airlines, including British Airways,” Kairuki said.

He noted that the benefits of BA’s return would extend well beyond tourism adding that direct air connectivity with the United Kingdom is also expected to facilitate Tanzania’s exports to the UK, particularly high-value and time-sensitive horticultural products, while supporting investment, trade and broader economic and people-to-people links between the two countries.

Kairuki said Tanzania was continuing discussions with British Airways to encourage the airline to consider adding Dar es Salaam to its network, given the city’s position as the country’s principal commercial and financial hub and the continued growth in business and passenger traffic.

On Thursday, British Airways announced through its online media centre that it would expand its network with the addition of two destinations in Tanzania — Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.

“Launching in May 2027, these two new routes will offer customers easy access to explore this fascinating East African country, home to bucket-list travel experiences including the Great Migration, Africa’s highest mountain, pristine beaches and world-class diving,” the airline said.

According to British Airways, the service will operate three times a week from London Gatwick, flying first to Kilimanjaro before continuing to Zanzibar.

The new service is scheduled to begin on 29 May 2027 and operate throughout the summer season until 31 October. The timing coincides with the UK summer holiday period and Tanzania’s peak safari season, providing greater direct access for British and international travellers.

Commenting on the announcement, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, Neil Chernoff, said the airline was excited to introduce flights serving two destinations that showcase some of Tanzania’s most renowned attractions.

“From the vast plains of the Serengeti and the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro to the turquoise waters and white-sand beaches of Zanzibar, these new routes strengthen our footprint in East Africa and open the door to some of the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences,” Chernoff said.

The Tanzania announcement forms part of a broader expansion of British Airways’ long-haul network for the 2027 summer season.

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Alongside the new Tanzanian destinations, the airline announced a 25 per cent increase in capacity to Latin America, including the introduction of non-stop flights to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and an onward service to Santiago, Chile. It will also increase capacity to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and extend its San José, Costa Rica, service to operate year-round.

“Customers will also benefit from additional flights on popular routes to Cape Town, South Africa, and Las Vegas, United States. This enhanced summer schedule will be introduced from the end of March 2027,” British Airways said.

Chernoff added that, alongside the introduction of new routes, British Airways was strengthening its wider long-haul network by increasing capacity to a number of popular destinations across Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean.

The expansion is expected to provide passengers with greater choice and flexibility while strengthening London’s connectivity with key destinations around the world.

For Tanzania, the return of British Airways represents a significant restoration of direct air connectivity with one of its major tourism source markets and an opportunity to deepen trade, investment and economic links with the United Kingdom.