What Air Tanzania has actually announced

The headline is simple. Air Tanzania, the national carrier of Tanzania, branded as "The Wings of Kilimanjaro", will operate non-stop flights between London Gatwick (LGW) and Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) starting July 2027. The plan is for a minimum of three flights per week, with direct services to Zanzibar (ZNZ) added in the same launch window.

Ulanga was explicit that tourism is the main commercial driver for the route, ahead of business travel and Tanzanians in the UK visiting family. That is good news for anyone planning a Kilimanjaro climb or a Tanzania safari from Britain. Routes built around tourism tend to be timed for traveller convenience rather than red-eye business schedules.

The official announcement was confirmed by the Tanzania Tourism Board in the UK and the African Travel and Tourism Association.

Why this is a big deal for UK climbers and safari guests

Right now, the cheapest and most common way for our UK clients to reach Kilimanjaro is via one of four hubs: Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian) or Amsterdam (KLM). Total transit time from London door to JRO arrival typically runs 14 to 18 hours, depending on layovers.

A non-stop London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro flight will be roughly nine hours in the air. That removes a connection, a second security screen, a hub transfer, and the inevitable risk that a delayed first leg eats your second one. For climbers in particular, arriving in Moshi less jet-lagged and less depleted matters. The climb is hard enough without starting it underslept.

Direct flights to Zanzibar from London are arguably an even bigger shift for safari guests. The classic Legend itinerary, Kilimanjaro followed by safari followed by Zanzibar beach, becomes substantially cleaner when you can fly direct home from the island.

A short history: this is not the first attempt

Worth being honest here. Air Tanzania first secured Gatwick slots in 2019 and planned a Dar es Salaam to Kilimanjaro to Gatwick service using its Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Covid, fleet issues, and the loss of slots in 2020 ended that plan before it started.

There was also a regulatory chapter to navigate. The EU placed Air Tanzania, and subsequently all Tanzanian-certified carriers, on its Air Safety List in late 2024 and June 2025 respectively, citing oversight concerns rather than equipment faults. Those concerns were resolved through 2025, with Tanzanian authorities working alongside European regulators to align procedures.

The UK operates its own Civil Aviation Authority and is no longer part of EU airspace regulation, but UK clearance follows similar safety benchmarks. Ulanga has been careful in his messaging this time round, stating publicly that the airline is "choosing not to overpromise" and is confident of being ready well ahead of the July 2027 launch.

What we know about reliability and aircraft

Two operational facts caught my attention. First, current data shows more than 90% of Air Tanzania flights land within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival. Second, Ulanga has implemented a policy that no flight can be cancelled without his personal sign-off, and since that policy began, not one flight has failed to depart.

The London route will almost certainly be operated by the airline's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, configured with 22 lie-flat business class seats and 240 in economy. Air Tanzania is also in the middle of a fleet expansion programme, acquiring eight new aircraft by 2030.

How this changes your Legend trip

For clients booking a Kilimanjaro climb or Tanzania safari with us from July 2027 onwards, here is what shifts in practice.

Travel days become shorter. A typical UK client currently loses the best part of two days to travel, one outbound and one returning. Direct flights compress that to closer to one day each way, which means more time on the mountain, on safari, or recovering at Maridadi Hotel before your summit attempt.

Connection risk drops. With one hub removed, the chance of luggage going astray, of missing your transfer, or of having to rebook is meaningfully lower. For climbers carrying specific kit (boots, summit layers, headtorches), that matters more than people realise.

Multi-stop itineraries get easier. Climb, safari, Zanzibar, fly home direct from ZNZ. No more routing back through Doha or Dubai with three large bags and a sunburn.

What we do not yet know

Pricing has not been published. Air Tanzania has historically positioned itself competitively against Gulf carriers on Africa routes, but launch fares for a new direct service often run higher in the first season before settling.

Exact flight timings, days of the week, and onward connection logic to Zanzibar are also still to come. We will update this article as soon as the booking platform goes live and schedules are confirmed.

One useful internal link if you are starting to plan: our guide on the best time of year to climb Kilimanjaro will help you work out which 2027 climb dates to target around the new flight schedule.

FAQs

When do Air Tanzania direct flights from the UK to Kilimanjaro start? Air Tanzania has announced a July 2027 launch for direct flights between London Gatwick and Kilimanjaro International Airport. The minimum schedule will be three flights per week. Direct flights to Zanzibar from London Gatwick are also confirmed for the same launch window.

How long is the direct flight from London to Kilimanjaro? A non-stop flight from London Gatwick (LGW) to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) covers roughly 4,300 miles and will take in the region of nine hours in the air, depending on winds. That compares to 14 to 18 hours total transit via Doha, Dubai, Addis Ababa or Amsterdam.

What aircraft will Air Tanzania use on the London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro route? The route is expected to be operated by Air Tanzania's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the airline's long-haul flagship. The aircraft is configured with 22 fully lie-flat business class seats and 240 economy seats. Air Tanzania is also adding eight new aircraft by 2030 as part of a broader fleet expansion.

Is Air Tanzania safe to fly? Air Tanzania currently reports that more than 90% of flights land within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival, and CEO Peter Ulanga has implemented a policy that no flight can be cancelled without his personal sign-off. The airline was placed on the EU Air Safety List in 2024 over regulatory oversight concerns, which were resolved in 2025 with Tanzanian authorities aligning aviation procedures alongside European regulators. UK clearance is overseen separately by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Can I fly direct from London to Zanzibar with Air Tanzania? Yes. Air Tanzania has confirmed direct flights from London Gatwick to Zanzibar (ZNZ) alongside the Kilimanjaro route, both launching July 2027. This is a meaningful shift for anyone combining a safari with a beach week, or honeymooners flying straight to the island.

Should I wait until July 2027 to book my Kilimanjaro climb? If your dates are flexible and you want the direct flight experience, planning a climb for late July 2027 onwards makes sense. That said, we have UK clients climbing with us every month of the year via existing hub carriers, and 2026 climb spots on Lemosho are already filling. If you have a specific reason to climb sooner, do not wait for the direct flight.

This is genuinely good news for UK guests, and it has been a long time coming. The last direct UK to Tanzania service ended in 2013, and the gap has cost the country tourism revenue and made the journey harder for British climbers and safari travellers. If Air Tanzania delivers what they have announced, the route changes the shape of how we plan trips from late 2027 onwards.

If you are weighing up a 2027 climb or safari and want to talk through how the new flight schedule might fit your dates, drop me a line at jack@legendexpeditions.com or book a 20-minute call. Happy to share what we know and what we do not.

Jack