Direct flights to Tanzania are planned for July

The Russian travel industry is eyeing Air Tanzania's new flights to Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, scheduled to depart from Moscow in early July 2026. Tour operators are currently studying the specifics of the new route, which is expected to be well-served.

Tour operators name the launch of direct flights to Tanzania a long-awaited event.

«We're seeing a huge increase in interest in African destinations, with Tanzania steadily ranking among the top three most popular countries on the continent for our clients (along with South Africa and Kenya). Tourists are heading to Zanzibar for a beach holiday, as well as to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro safaris», - notes the tour operator ITM Group. 

Tour operator Russian Express also sees both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar as promising destinations. The company calls Dar es Salaam a convenient hub: from there, the tourists can fly to Zanzibar or Arusha, the starting point for safaris.

According to experts at Russian Express, demand for vacations on the island has already grown by 20%.  Direct flights could even attract some tourists from Egypt and Turkey. While this is unlikely to be a massive influx, the mid-range segment and those seeking exotic experiences are 80% likely to prefer Zanzibar to the more traditional beaches if the price is competitive (around $800-$950). At the same time, Air Tanzania's is rated as simple and basic – without too much pathos. This is not the level of Middle Eastern airlines or the global route network of Ethiopian Airlines, but the carrier can stay in its niche for direct communication with East Africa.

Tour operator Space Travel reported that Ethiopian Airlines and Oman Air's Zanzibar block seats are 100% full, suggesting that Air Tanzania's direct flights will also be fully booked.
Previously, the Association of Tour Operators (ATOR) Analytical Service calculated that the launch of a direct flight to Tanzania could increase tourist flow from Russia to the country by at least 30%.