Air Tanzania has announced the launch of direct flights between Johannesburg and Zanzibar, effective 10 June 2025.
The twice-weekly service, scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays, will include a return route via Dar es Salaam, strengthening regional air connectivity and opening up new opportunities for tourism and business.
Air Tanzania will operate twice weekly, every Tuesday and Thursday, providing a seamless travel option for tourists, business travelers, and diaspora communities. Each outbound flight will connect Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International Airport) to Zanzibar, with a return leg via Dar es Salaam to improve regional access and logistical efficiency.
Official Airline schedule
According to the airline’s official schedule:
• Departure from Dar es Salaam: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:45 AM, arriving in Johannesburg at 1:15 PM.
• Departure from Johannesburg: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:15 PM, landing in Zanzibar by 6:45 PM.
• Return flight from Zanzibar: Leaves at 7:35 PM, arriving in Dar es Salaam at 8:05 PM.
How important is this for Tanzania
The launch of this new route is being hailed as a game-changer for African tourism, particularly for Zanzibar’s thriving hospitality sector.
As one of East Africa’s most sought-after holiday destinations, renowned for its white-sand beaches, cultural heritage, and rich Swahili-Arabic history, Zanzibar is poised to attract a growing number of South African tourists.
“With increased demand for regional travel and intra-African tourism, this new route reinforces our commitment to connecting Africa and making travel more accessible and efficient,” said a spokesperson from Air Tanzania.
Travel and tourism experts believe this route will also support diaspora communities, business partnerships, and trade relations between South Africa and Tanzania, two key economies in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
