Air France has introduced flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, beginning November 18, 2024. The launch of the new route comes at a time when the airline seeks to enhance its connectivity in Africa and improve service delivery to travellers in the region.
The new service will operate three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, departing from Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Return flights from Kilimanjaro will be scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Passengers will travel aboard the state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft, featuring 34 seats in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy, and 266 in Economy Class.
This route marks an enhancement in Air France’s African operations, replacing the Paris-Zanzibar-Dar Es Salaam route. However, travellers to Dar Es Salaam can still conveniently access the city via Amsterdam through Air France’s partner airline KLM, which maintains seven weekly flights to the destination. KLM also offers flights to Kilimanjaro five times a week and Zanzibar twice a week, further expanding travel options in Tanzania.
In addition to added convenience, the new route will also facilitate access to Tanzania’s famed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travellers can explore the surrounding Kilimanjaro National Park, renowned for its diverse ecosystems and wildlife, making it an ideal starting point for safaris in Tanzania and neighbouring Kenya.
Flight AF874 will depart Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 10:10 am on designated days, arriving in Zanzibar at 9:10 PM local time, with onward flights to Kilimanjaro departing at 10:40 PM and arriving at 11:40 pm on the same day. The return flight, AF874, will depart Kilimanjaro at 1:10 am and arrive at Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 8:35 am local time.
Meanwhile, Air France continues to connect East Africa to Paris-Charles de Gaulle through direct flights to Nairobi, Kenya seven times a week. As with the new route, all Air France flights are serviced by modern aircraft, which have substantially reduced emissions. This is in addition to the intentional use of the much-cleaner Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), with travellers allowed to contribute to its cost through voluntary premiums at the time of booking.
Speaking on the recent developments, Rajat Kumar, Air France’s KLM Tanzania Country manager said, “The addition of the Paris-Kilimanjaro route is a strategic decision aimed at meeting the growing demand for travel to East Africa. Kilimanjaro not only serves as a gateway to the region’s renowned natural beauty and adventure opportunities but also aligns with our commitment to offering diverse and enriching travel experiences.”