**Russia and Tanzania Launch Direct Flights**
Air Tanzania has inaugurated its first scheduled flight connecting Tanzania and Russia, marking a significant milestone as the only direct regular air service currently linking the two nations. The inaugural flight successfully landed at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport on Thursday, carrying 123 passengers from Dar es Salaam, while the return flight was booked for 144 travelers.
The introduction of this route is a result of intergovernmental consultations, with the Russian Ministry of Transport facilitating the necessary permissions for Air Tanzania to operate flights to Russia. Deputy Transport Minister Vladimir Poteshkin emphasized the importance of this new air link, stating that it would enhance travel opportunities for citizens of both countries and expand the tourism potential in the region.
Air Tanzania will operate the Dar es Salaam–Moscow (Vnukovo)–Zanzibar route up to three times a week using Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The journey from Moscow to Zanzibar is expected to take approximately 8.5 hours, providing a direct connection that has not been available since April 2021 when flights were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new service is anticipated to significantly boost tourism, with the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) projecting a potential increase of at least 30% in the number of Russian tourists visiting Tanzania. This is particularly noteworthy as the flights restore a direct air link that had primarily consisted of tourist charter flights prior to the pandemic.
Passengers on the inaugural flight expressed enthusiasm for the new connection, with one traveler noting that they had been eagerly awaiting a direct flight between the two countries. The traveler highlighted that the benefits would extend beyond Tanzanian citizens, positively impacting travelers from other parts of Africa as well.
The launch of these direct flights follows a recent visit by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan to Russia, where she engaged in discussions with President Vladimir Putin. This visit marked a historic moment, as it was the first by a Tanzanian head of state to Russia in over 50 years, with the last visit being made by founding President Julius Nyerere in 1969.
As Air Tanzania embarks on this new chapter of international connectivity, both nations are poised to strengthen their bilateral relations through enhanced travel and tourism opportunities. The direct flights are expected to foster greater cultural exchange and economic collaboration between Russia and Tanzania.