Zanzibar Airports Authority Addresses Route Suspension Misinformation
Dar es Salaam. The Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA) has firmly rejected social media allegations that KLM and Air France will temporarily suspend their Zanzibar routes due to a $44 tourist travel insurance fee.
In a statement on December 19, 2024, the ZAA clarified that the suspensions are standard seasonal adjustments, not linked to any new fees.
“This information is incorrect,” stated ZAA Director General, Mr. Seif Abdalla Juma. “Both airlines have confirmed that the temporary suspensions are routine adjustments based on seasonal demand and unrelated to travel insurance requirements.”
Air France will temporarily suspend its Paris-Zanzibar route between March 22 and May 25, 2025, coinciding with the "green season," a historically slower time for tourism.
Meanwhile, KLM will halt its Zanzibar service from Amsterdam during the IATA summer season (March to October 2025) but will resume operations in the winter season.
Mr. Juma urged the public to be wary of unverified information. “We call upon the public to disregard such misinformation and refer to official communications for accurate updates on flight operations,” he emphasized.
This clarification arrives amidst concerns from tourism stakeholders following the airlines’ announcements. French tourists have increasingly become a vital segment for Zanzibar’s tourism industry, enhancing visitor numbers significantly.
Stakeholders are apprehensive that the suspension of direct flights may hinder Zanzibar’s attractiveness, given the advantages of direct routes. A tourism expert remarked that “such changes could lead travelers to explore alternative destinations.”
Despite these challenges, the ZAA remains committed to supporting Zanzibar’s tourism sector while addressing misinformation to alleviate undue concerns.
Both airlines have reassured the public that operations will resume as scheduled, with Air France reinstating its service in May 2025 and KLM in October 2025. Travelers are advised to plan their trips accordingly.
For the latest updates, the ZAA encourages travelers to check official airline channels and credible sources. “It is essential that we share only factual information to maintain confidence in Zanzibar’s tourism and travel industry,” Mr. Juma concluded.
