Tanzania and Serbia Explore Direct Flights to Unlock New Africa-Europe Tourism Corridor
A promising new aviation partnership is taking shape between Africa and Europe, as Tanzania and Serbia begin exploring the launch of direct flights aimed at deepening their economic, trade and tourism ties. The initiative was formally discussed during a high-level meeting on 31 August 2026 between Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, and his Serbian counterpart, Marko Đurić. For the African travel trade, this emerging cooperation signals a fresh opportunity to unlock a still-underserved corridor between Southeast Europe and East Africa.
Direct air links between the two nations do not currently exist, meaning travellers must transit through third countries such as Turkey, the United Arab Emirates or the Netherlands. Popular carriers on the indirect Belgrade-to-Zanzibar and Belgrade-to-Dar es Salaam routings currently include Turkish Airlines, Air Serbia, FlyDubai, Wizz Air and Ethiopian Airlines. While these connections have served the market reasonably well, the absence of a nonstop service has long limited the true potential of tourism, trade and investment flows between Serbia and Tanzania. A direct link would substantially reduce travel time, cut costs and, most importantly, open the door to new categories of leisure and business travellers.
For Tanzania, the strategic vision is clear. The country is positioning Dar es Salaam as a key gateway for European visitors seeking authentic African experiences, while Zanzibar continues to shine as one of the Indian Ocean's most sought-after beach destinations. Tanzanian Prime Minister Dr Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa has previously emphasised the importance of improved air connectivity between the two countries, stressing that direct flights would help expand trade and tourism in meaningful ways. As part of the broader diplomatic push, Tanzania has also allocated land at the Government City in Mtumba, Dodoma, for the construction of the Serbian embassy and the ambassador's residence, a clear sign of long-term commitment.
Serbia, on the other hand, sees the partnership as an opportunity to position Belgrade as a growing bridge between Europe and Africa. Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport has been steadily expanding its long-haul ambitions, and a direct service to East Africa would reinforce Serbia's aspirations to become a regional aviation hub. For African tour operators, this creates the possibility of tapping into new outbound markets from Central and Eastern Europe, regions where interest in African safaris, beach holidays and cultural experiences continues to grow year after year.
The broader significance of this cooperation extends well beyond a single route. It reflects a growing trend among African nations to actively pursue bilateral aviation agreements with non-traditional source markets, moving away from over-reliance on the usual Western European gateways. By diversifying its inbound tourism pipeline, Tanzania can build greater resilience against seasonal fluctuations and geopolitical shocks that periodically disrupt travel from more established markets. Similar strategies are already being pursued by other African destinations exploring routes to Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Central Asia and the Gulf.
Tourism industry professionals across sub-Saharan Africa should also note the potential ripple effects. A successful Belgrade-Dar es Salaam or Belgrade-Zanzibar service could stimulate connecting traffic into neighbouring destinations such as Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Mozambique, particularly through code-share and interline arrangements. Combined itineraries linking Serbia with East African safari circuits and Indian Ocean beach escapes could become an attractive commercial product for both wholesalers and retail agents.
The initiative also underscores a wider truth about the future of African aviation. Connectivity is no longer just about linking capital cities. It is about creating strategic corridors that support trade, investment, cultural exchange and tourism in a mutually beneficial way. For the Tanzanian travel trade, the Serbian partnership represents a fresh diversification opportunity that could reshape inbound tourism strategies in the medium term.
Much work remains before the first direct flight can take off, including detailed feasibility studies, bilateral air services agreements, route economics assessments and airline commitments. Yet the political will now visible on both sides suggests that this vision has genuine momentum. If successful, it will not only strengthen ties between two friendly nations but also offer a compelling model for how African and European countries can collaborate to build the next generation of aviation partnerships shaping the continent's tourism future.
