LONDON/TANZANIA: British Airways has announced new flights to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, strengthening air connectivity between the United Kingdom and Tanzania ahead of the 2027 summer travel season.
The new services are scheduled to begin on 29 May 2027, with flights operating three times a week from London Gatwick Airport. The service will fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) before continuing to Zanzibar (ZNZ), creating a new connection that links Tanzania’s renowned safari destinations with its Indian Ocean islands.
The flights are scheduled to operate until 31 October 2027, covering the European summer holiday period and a key safari travel season in Tanzania.
New Route Connects Safari and Beach Tourism
The British Airways announcement presents Tanzania as a destination offering two distinct tourism experiences within one country — the wildlife-rich northern safari circuit and the beaches, marine attractions and cultural heritage of Zanzibar.
For travellers arriving at Kilimanjaro, the airport provides access to some of Tanzania’s most prominent tourism destinations, including Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park.
The area is also the main gateway for travellers undertaking expeditions to Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain and one of the continent’s most recognised adventure tourism destinations.
Zanzibar Adds Beach, Marine and Cultural Experiences
The new service will then continue from Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar, providing travellers with the opportunity to combine a safari holiday with an Indian Ocean getaway.
Zanzibar offers a combination of white-sand beaches, marine tourism, cultural heritage and historical attractions. Visitors can explore the UNESCO-listed Stone Town, experience spice plantations, enjoy diving and snorkelling, and stay at beachfront resorts along the island's coastline.
The new air connection therefore creates a convenient opportunity for international visitors to combine wildlife tourism, mountain tourism, beach tourism and cultural tourism within a single Tanzania itinerary.
Three Flights Every Week
According to British Airways, the new service will operate on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, using Boeing 777 aircraft with three cabin options: Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller.
The published schedule shows the London Gatwick–Kilimanjaro service as BA2163, departing London at 09:05 and arriving in Kilimanjaro at 20:20 local time. The aircraft will then continue to Zanzibar, arriving at approximately 22:25.
The return service from Zanzibar to London Gatwick will operate on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, with the route running from 29 May to 31 October 2027.
Potential Boost for Tanzania Tourism
The new connection comes as Tanzania continues to develop international tourism markets and improve access to its major destinations.
Direct international air connectivity is particularly important for long-haul tourism because it can make it easier for travellers to access destinations, combine multiple experiences and plan multi-destination holidays.
For Tanzania, the route provides a connection between London and two major tourism gateways, potentially supporting travel to the northern safari circuit as well as Zanzibar's coastal and marine tourism economy.
It also strengthens the possibility of packaging a “Safari and Zanzibar” holiday, allowing visitors to experience wildlife and beach destinations during the same trip.
British Airways Expands Long-Haul Network
The Tanzania announcement forms part of a wider British Airways network expansion for summer 2027.
The airline said it will increase capacity to Latin America by 25 percent, based on Available Seat Kilometres (ASK), compared with its summer 2026 schedule.
Among the wider changes are a daily non-stop service between London and Buenos Aires with onward service to Santiago, increased capacity to Rio de Janeiro, year-round flights to San José in Costa Rica, additional summer frequencies to Cape Town and increased services to Las Vegas.
British Airways is also continuing its expansion to other long-haul destinations, including upcoming services between London Gatwick and Colombo and London Heathrow and Melbourne via Kuala Lumpur.
A New Opportunity for Tanzania’s Tourism Circuit
The new British Airways service adds another international link to Tanzania's tourism network and creates an opportunity to strengthen connections between safari, mountain, beach, marine and cultural tourism.
With Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar forming part of the same route, international travellers will have an additional option for designing a multi-experience Tanzanian holiday — from the plains of the Serengeti and the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to the beaches and heritage of Zanzibar.
For Tanzania's tourism industry, the new route is also an opportunity for tour operators, hotels, lodges, airlines and destination marketers to develop packages targeting the UK market around the 2027 summer season.
