Air France and KLM Temporarily Suspend Flights to Zanzibar

Air France and KLM have announced temporary suspensions of their direct flights to Zanzibar, citing seasonal adjustments in their flight schedules. Air France will halt its Paris-Zanzibar route from March 22 to May 25, 2025, coinciding with the “green season,” a traditionally quieter period for tourism. Similarly, KLM will pause its Amsterdam – Zanzibar service from March to October 2025, resuming operations in the winter season.

The suspension of these direct flights has raised concerns among local tourism stakeholders, as French visitors have significantly contributed to Zanzibar’s tourism industry. In October and November 2024, French tourists accounted for 10% of total arrivals, with 10,093 and 6,299 visitors, respectively. The Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA) has clarified that the suspensions are routine seasonal adjustments and are not related to any new travel insurance requirements. This clarification addresses misinformation suggesting that the suspensions were due to a $44 tourist travel insurance fee charged to every passenger arriving in Zanzibar.

During the suspension periods, travelers can consider connecting flights through other airlines, which may result in longer travel times. For example, a journey from Paris to Zanzibar via Nairobi with Kenya Airways can take approximately 13 hours and 55 minutes, compared to 9 hours for a direct flight. While the temporary suspension of direct flights by Air France and KLM may affect travel plans, it is a standard seasonal adjustment.