Air Tanzania, Tanzania’s national flag carrier, plans to launch the first-ever direct flights between the United Kingdom and Tanzania, with services from London Gatwick potentially beginning as early as July 2027, Time Out reported on May 21.
The airline said the route will initially serve Kilimanjaro International Airport on the mainland, which provides access to Kilimanjaro National Park and the Serengeti. The carrier will also operate direct services to Zanzibar, the Indian Ocean archipelago that drew a record 917,167 international tourists in 2025, a rise of nearly 25% on the previous year.
Air Tanzania Chief Executive Officer Peter Ulanga said the airline “will also run direct flights to Zanzibar, expanding the tourism potential of that destination from the UK too,” according to Metro.
Services are expected to begin with a minimum of three flights per week. The airline has also said it plans to acquire eight new aircraft over the next five years to support expanded direct operations from the UK.
Currently, flights from London to Zanzibar take between 13 and 21 hours, with connections through Dubai, Nairobi or Addis Ababa. The new service would mark the first time a carrier has offered a non-stop connection between the UK and Tanzania.
Once the route launches, London will join Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris and Madrid as European cities with direct access to Zanzibar. The archipelago, sometimes called the “Spice Island” for its production of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla, has grown sharply as a leisure destination for European travellers in recent years.
“Will also run direct flights to Zanzibar, expanding the tourism potential of that destination from the UK too.” Metro