SNG: British Airways to resume Tanzania flights as carriers seek alternatives to Middle East

By Zawya06:55 (UTC), 18 September 2026 Updated

By Staff Writer

British Airways is set to return to Tanzania in May 2027, introducing seasonal services to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar as international airlines expand their networks amid disruptions to established travel corridors.

The move, which comes 13 years after the British carrier withdrew its Dar es Salaam–London service, will restore a direct British Airways connection to Tanzania while targeting demand for safari and beach holidays.

The airline's new routes form part of an expanded summer schedule that also includes additional services to destinations in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

British Airways will operate three flights a week from London Gatwick, with the aircraft first landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport before continuing to Zanzibar. Services are scheduled to begin on May 29, 2027, and run through October 31, covering the UK school holiday period and Tanzania's peak safari season.

The expansion comes as airlines and tour operators adjust their networks following disruptions associated with the six-month-old US-Iran war and instability affecting travel through the Middle East. However, the extent to which the conflict has directly influenced British Airways' Tanzania decision remains a matter of market interpretation.

According to Blantyre-based air transport consultant Sean Mendis, the expansion reflects efforts by package holiday operators to redirect travellers who might previously have selected Middle Eastern destinations.“This is being driven by package tour volume. They want to offer an ‘exotic beach’ alternative to the people who used to do Dubai or similar and are now scared,” Mendis said.

British Airways' choice of Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar gives the airline access to two complementary tourism markets, combining wildlife tourism and mountain travel with Indian Ocean beach holidays.

Kilimanjaro International Airport serves as a gateway to Tanzania's Northern Safari Circuit, which includes the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park.

The Serengeti is internationally recognised for the annual Great Migration, while the Ngorongoro Crater offers access to one of Africa's major wildlife destinations. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, provides an additional attraction for climbers and adventure travellers.

Zanzibar, meanwhile, offers a different tourism proposition centred on beaches, marine activities, cultural heritage and historical tourism.

Neil Chernoff, British Airways' Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, said the new routes would strengthen the airline's presence in East Africa.“We're excited to be launching flights to two exceptional new destinations that showcase the very best of Tanzania,” Chernoff said.

He added that the expanded network would provide customers with more choice and flexibility while strengthening London's connections to international destinations.

The routes also reflect an emphasis on seasonal scheduling, allowing the airline to align its services with tourism demand rather than committing to year-round operations from the outset.