Air France Announces Temporary Suspension of Direct Flights to Zanzibar in 2025
Air France will temporarily suspend its direct flights to Zanzibar starting in early 2025, a move that could significantly impact tourism in the region. The airline will halt its Paris-Zanzibar route from March 22 to May 25, 2025, during the traditional green season when travel typically slows down.
The suspension comes at a critical time for Zanzibar’s tourism sector, which has been experiencing strong growth from French travelers. In recent months, French visitors have comprised 10 percent of total arrivals, with 10,093 and 6,293 tourists arriving in October and November respectively.
Since launching direct flights to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in October 2021, Air France has been offering three weekly round trips throughout the year. The route has also extended to Kilimanjaro International Airport, which will similarly be suspended during this period.
Tourism professionals are expressing concerns about the potential negative impact on Zanzibar’s travel appeal. The absence of direct flights could make the destination less attractive, potentially driving travelers to alternative destinations in Kenya or South Africa.
Travelers wishing to visit Zanzibar during this period will now face significantly longer journey times, with connecting flights increasing total travel duration by approximately five hours. Alternative routing options will require stops in cities like Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Istanbul, Doha, or Dubai.
While the suspension coincides with the region’s rainy season, tourism experts warn that this could still negatively affect off-season travel markets and potentially disrupt both beach tourism and safari circuit bookings in northern Tanzania.
Travelers are advised to plan carefully and explore alternative routing options if visiting Zanzibar during this period.
